A law came into force this Monday (8) in Australia that prohibits the performance of the Nazi salute, the display or sale of symbols related to the Nazi regime, such as the swastika, and symbols linked to terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and Hamas. . Anyone who violates the new legislation could be punished with up to 12 months in prison.
The measure was approved in the country as a way to combat the increase in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, which intensified in Australia after the Hamas terrorist attacks carried out against Israel in October 2023, which left around 1,200 dead in the Jewish State. .
Anti-Semitic incidents were occurring with a certain frequency across the country, which did not previously have specific legislation dealing with the prohibition of the use of Nazi symbols. In the month that the Hamas terrorist attacks occurred, a group of men were caught shouting “gas at the Jews” during a pro-Palestine protest held in front of the Sydney Opera House, which caused great outrage and a police investigation.
In another case, which also occurred last year, three men were arrested for giving the Nazi salute outside the Jewish Museum of Australia.
Information from the Australian Jewish Community, published on the website The Daily Starstate that there were more anti-Semitic incidents in the country in October and November 2023 than in the entire year 2022.
With the new legislation, Australian authorities hope these numbers will decrease. Mark Dreyfus, Australia's attorney general, said in a statement that the legislation “sent a clear message that there is no place in Australia for those who glorify the Holocaust or terrorist acts.”
“This is the first legislation of its kind and will ensure that no one in Australia can glorify or profit from acts and symbols that celebrate the Nazis and their evil ideology.”
According to the The Daily Star, the new law provides exceptions for the academic, educational or artistic use of these symbols.
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