Australia's rising antisemitism strains community security volunteers

A surge in antisemitic incidents across Australia has been highlighted as having “disturbing parallels” with the social climate of Nazi Germany. The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion heard that the increase followed the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 and has driven record‑high levels of threats against Jewish schools, synagogues and community organisations.

Members of the Community Security Group (CSG) – volunteers who protect Jewish sites – report that the workload has become comparable to a second full‑time job. Volunteers describe early daily security briefings, constant on‑call duties, and psychological strain that extends into their personal lives. One veteran volunteer likened the commitment to “a second life” alongside his regular employment, while another estimated up to 40 extra hours per week, totaling thousands of hours since 2021. Families are also affected, with volunteers often forced to leave home at short notice and avoid attending events with loved ones. The heightened threat environment underscores the growing burden on community‑based security volunteers in Australia.