Media
MEDIA STATEMENT BY QUEENSLAND JEWISH BOARD OF DEPUTIES PRESIDENT JASON STEINBERG
The decision by federal police not to charge an individual carrying a Hamas flag at a recent rally, on the basis that he “did not know” it was a Hamas flag, is outrageous and highlights a dangerous loophole in our laws. This undermines the intent of the Federal Parliament to ban the public display of terrorist symbols in Australia.
History shows us the danger of such leniency. This decision not to prosecute someone on the grounds of ignorance is like saying that someone at a Nazi rally in Germany in the 1930s carrying a flag with a swastika “did not know” what they were doing. Symbols matter. They broadcast allegiance to a terrorist organisation, they intimidate, and they embolden those who wish to broadcast their hate-filled ideology without any consequence or recourse.
2 September 2025
Jewish community in Queensland reports feeling unsafe amid rising antisemitism
A new survey has revealed a growing sense of insecurity within the Jewish community in Queensland, with many members feeling increasingly unsafe and exposed to hostility.
The survey, which was conducted in August across the state by the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD), canvassed over 200 firsthand experiences and perceptions related to antisemitism. QJBD President Jason Steinberg said the survey results painted a concerning picture for the community.
“One of the most disturbing findings was that 54% of respondents agreed that everyday Australians harbour antisemitic, anti-Zionist, or anti-Israel sentiments,” Mr Steinberg said. “This is compounded by the fact that a significant number of our community reported feeling unsafe. These figures are absolutely devastating as it highlights the erosion of our sense of belonging.”
The survey reflects the direct experiences of Jewish residents across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and beyond, highlighting the pervasive nature of antisemitism and the critical importance of governmental accountability.
Other key findings include:
Many respondents personally experienced antisemitism in Queensland, with some experiencing multiple incidents over the past 12 months.
Antisemitic incidents are reportedly observed in diverse settings including street protests, social media, mainstream media (TV, radio, newspapers), workplaces, schools, businesses, and public spaces such as in our neighbourhoods, streets and events.
A significant number of respondents are hesitant or unwilling to report antisemitic incidents, often due to a belief that reporting will not result in meaningful action or change.
The origins of antisemitic hostility are perceived to be broad, including political groups or activists, educational institutions, social media, media outlets, religious organisations, and the general public.
The community identified the Queensland Government and their local councils as more active or willing to address antisemitism than the federal government, which is commonly viewed as inadequate in its response.
Specific forms of antisemitism reported include vandalism such as graffiti (including Nazi symbols), hostile posters and stickers, verbal hostility, and targeted actions in workplaces and social environments.
Statement on IRGC's involvement in antisemitic acts in Australia
Statement by Jason Steinberg, President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies
We join other Jewish communities throughout Australia in welcoming today's announcement that the Iranian regime was responsible for some of the most despicable acts of antisemitism this country has seen: an attack on the Adass Synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney.
The magnitude of this news cannot be overstated.
These attacks, directed by the Iranian regime, were not random. They struck at our nation, our sovereignty and, most painfully, at Jewish Australians. A sacred house of worship was destroyed, millions of dollars in damage inflicted, and our Jewish community deliberately terrorised.
For years we have warned of the danger posed by the Iranian regime. This is not only a government that oppresses its own people and fuels war in the Middle East. Through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it has exported terror across the globe. We therefore welcome the Australian Government’s decision to list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.
The reality is clear: Israel’s enemies are also Australia’s enemies. The same regime complicit in the 7 October atrocities, that armed Hezbollah and launched missiles at Israel, has also plotted and carried out attacks here in Australia.
The Iranian regime has shown that antisemitism is not just a threat to Jews — it is a threat to civilisation itself.
While we may take comfort from this breakthrough and from the extraordinary work of our security agencies, there remains deep pain and anxiety. We were targeted in a cold and calculated way, by a violent foreign power, simply because we are Jews.
And, may we remind all Queenslanders of the long-standing, close relationship the Jewish and Israeli communities have had with our Iranian brothers and sisters who have fled the Islamist regime. They should not be held responsible for the acts of terror by the IRGC.
We thank the Federal Government, the AFP, ASIO and state police forces for their efforts.
Monday, August 25, 2025 | The Courier Mail
Uni rally on Gaza “will stir up hate”
Statement by Jason Steinberg: it was “not surprising” student groups were taking measures.
“They’ve made life almost unbearable for our Jewish students at our universities, unbearable because they don’t feel safe, they don’t feel proud of saying they’re Jewish and that’s unacceptable,” he said.
“What it (the motions) does, is it encourages more hatred against Jews in Queensland.
Mr Steinberg said off the back of anti-Semitism across the country, the feeling among the Jewish community was at “its lowest ever”.
“Anti-Semitism is at its peak and these kinds of activities … embolden (students), they feel that it’s OK to scream at a Jewish person.”
Thursday 21 August 2025
QJBD President Warns of Soaring Antisemitism and Erosion of Social Cohesion in Queensland
QJBD President Jason Steinberg spoke with 4BC's Gary Hardgrave on the meteoric rise in antisemitism in Queensland, the demonisation of Israel, the lack of leadership which has contributed to the destruction of our social cohesion and the importance of speaking up against hate.
Festival creates division and makes it unsafe for Jews
A major electronic music festival, Earth Frequency Festival, to be held in Queensland, has asked artists to sign a pledge condemning Israel and has, as a result, created a once welcoming space for all, now an unsafe festival for Jews. This antisemitic pledge, along with other public statements, has led Jewish festival-goers to condemn the event and prompted leading Israeli act Infected Mushroom to cancel their performance.
Jason Steinberg, President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, acknowledged that while organisers had attempted to refocus the event on peace, the damage had already been done “Significant damage has been done to our community’s safety and we remain deeply concerned about the falsehoods, lies, and the hijacking of a political agenda that now persist within the festival culture,” Jason said.
“The organisers’ claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is false and spread by Hamas and others who share deceitful information. Genocide means having a clear plan to destroy a group of people. “The only group in this conflict that has openly said they want to get rid of the other side is Hamas, which has said it wants to kill all Jews. Even the President of the International Court of Justice said in January this year that there is no legal finding of genocide against Israel. Saying Israel has committed genocide is not based on law, but on antisemitic propaganda.”
Mr Steinberg said the recent events at UK’s Glastonbury music festival, where chants of “Kill the IDF” were performed, and the subsequent hate-filled repetition of such rhetoric on Australian streets, should have been a warning sign to the organisers. “You would have to be living under a rock in the UK or Australia to believe that antisemitism, anti-Israel, and anti-Zionist rhetoric are not one and the same,” he said. “Our community members deserve to feel safe, and we will continue to stand firm against misinformation and falsehoods that have turned fellow Australians against us.”
Statement by Yael L. (Jewish Israeli living in Queensland)
“The release of Earth Frequency Festival’s ‘Platforming Responsibility and Inclusivity Statement’ marks the lowest point for many of us in the festival community since October 7, 2023. Instead of offering unity and healing, the one-sided statement - co-authored with anti-Israel activists and excluding Jewish or Israeli voices - emboldened antisemitism across EFF’s platforms. What was once a sanctuary of peace, music, and belonging has become a space of exclusion and hostility. Israeli artists, food vendors, and festival-goers have pioneered the psytrance and doof culture. Now, we feel betrayed, excluded, and discriminated against.
We continue to believe in unity, peace, and freedom, but unity is impossible when a whole community is 'othered' and made to feel unsafe. We hope this moment leads to true inclusivity and healing, not division.”
Jason Steinberg – The 160 years old Queensland Jewish community is punching above its weight
Maurice Klein speaks with Jason Steinberg, President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies. Jason unpacks his recent article in the Courier Mail, "The Bookends of Hatred are Closing in on Jews" details how Queensland Jews as with the rest of the Australian Jewish community post October 7, have come under attack from the escalating antisemitism now plaguing Australia from the Left and neo-Nazis. Queensland Jews were stunned when the Woodford Folk Festival late December 2023 turned into a hate fest of anti-Israel sentiment and Jew hatred. With may incidents since then, late May this year it was serious neo-Nazi graffiti on the Gold Coast, followed a few days later with 100 plus members of the Jewish community celebrating the Shavuot festival holiday at a private function, only to be gate crashed, abused threatened and intimidated by a protest bunch of left-wing and Islamic Jew haters. We hear from Jason how the nascent state of the art Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre, capped off its first year winning gold and silver recognition at two prestigious international awards, and how the Holocaust museum is having a real impact educating Queenslanders young and old about the Holocaust, with the aim of educating and inspiring Queenslanders to stand up against all forms of racism and hatred. To support the important work of the Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre, please donate at www.hmq.org.au/support.