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Antisemitism

Investigating threats, violence and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians
    About this crime type

    About this crime

    Antisemitism is the demonstration of hostility, prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people or Judaism as a religious, ethnic or racial group. 

    We've set up Special Operation Avalite to investigate threats, violence and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians.

    Working closely with ASIO and state and territory police, AFP police and analysts who are experienced counter-terrorism investigators, work across the country to investigate Commonwealth offences that include but are not limited to:

    • urging violence against members of groups
    • advocating terrorism
    • advocating genocide
    • unlawful display of prohibited symbols
    • using a carriage service to make a threat, cause harm or harass
    • using a carriage service to make available personal data of one or more individuals.
       

    “Antisemitism has no place in Australia. Every Australian, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or any other distinction, has the right to live freely and safely in this country. Do not test the resolve of the AFP, state and territory police and other partners – we will find perpetrators and build strong cases against them to get the strongest convictions possible.”  

    Deputy Commissioner National Security Krissy Barrett
     

    Report a crime or concern

    We can investigate Commonwealth crimes (sometimes called federal crimes) and crimes that take place in the Australian Capital Territory. What best describes the crime you want to report or what you want to tell us about?

    If you have witnessed or suspect antisemitism activity, call the 24-hour National Security Hotline1800 123 400.

    For non-urgent antisemitism-related matters, send us information by filling out our

    Report a crime form

    Before submitting a report read our antisemitism-related information to report accurately

    In an emergency, call000 for police, fire brigade or ambulance.

    What AVALITE will investigate

    Special Operation AVALITE will investigate Commonwealth offences including (but not limited to):

    • Advocating force or violence against groups, contrary to Section 80.2A of the Criminal Code 1995 Act (Cth) (Criminal Code)
    • Advocating force or violence against members of groups or close associates, contrary to Section 80.2B of the Criminal Code 1995 Act (Cth) (Criminal Code)
    • Threatening force or violence against groups, contrary to section 80.2BA of the Criminal Code
    • Threatening force or violence against members of groups or close associates, contrary to section 80.2BB of the Criminal Code
    • Advocating terrorism, contrary to section 80.2C of the Criminal Code 
    • Advocating genocide, contrary to section 80.2D of the Criminal Code 
    • Unlawful display of Prohibited Symbols contrary to section 80.2H of the Criminal Code  
    • Using a carriage service to make a threat, contrary to section 474.15 of the Criminal Code 
    • Using a carriage service to menace or harass contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code 
    • Using a carriage service to make available personal data of one or more individuals or more members of certain groups (doxxing) contrary to sections 474.17C and 474.17D of the Criminal Code 
    • Sharing of abhorrent violent material contrary to section 474.30 of the Criminal Code

    What does this offending look like?

    For an investigation to commence under Special Operation AVALITE, there must be: 

    • antisemitic threats and/or violence towards the Australian Jewish community; and 
    • a Commonwealth offence to investigate; and 
    • conduct that is high harm and high impact; or 
    • involves threat actors, groups or habitual offenders whose conduct goes beyond domestic and international borders.  

    What AVALITE will not investigate

    The AFP is working closely with state and territory police partners to ensure a comprehensive, national representation of active threats and violence towards the Australian Jewish community is understood and actioned appropriately. 
    Your local state or territory police service retains primacy to respond to crime in your jurisdiction. This includes breaches against state or territory law such as: 

    • local emergency situations  
    • property damage, vandalism or theft 
    • physical violence, assaults or threats of assault 
    • public order operations or protests 
    • kidnapping, stalking or harassment.  

    The Joint Counter Terrorism Teams within each state and territory retain primacy to respond to prevent, disrupt and investigate terrorism.  

    State and territory police services can also investigate offences under Commonwealth legislation in their jurisdictions.  

    As contact details vary between police services, please check your state or territory police service’s website for more information on how to report crime.

    Report a crime or concern

    We can investigate Commonwealth crimes (sometimes called federal crimes) and crimes that take place in the Australian Capital Territory. What best describes the crime you want to report or what you want to tell us about?

    If you have witnessed or suspect antisemitism activity, call the 24-hour National Security Hotline1800 123 400.

    For non-urgent antisemitism-related matters, send us information by filling out our

    Report a crime form

    Before submitting a report read our antisemitism-related information to report accurately

    In an emergency, call000 for police, fire brigade or ambulance.