It is important to note that a rise in antisemitism — or indeed the vilification or dehumanisation of any minority group — have been shown to be leading indicators of democratic backsliding, and deteriorating levels of social cohesion. These are issues of critical importance to all Australians, regardless of race, background or religion.

This report centres on a recent survey, designed by Blueprint Institute and conducted by YouGov, aimed at measuring the prevalence and types of antisemitism manifesting within Australian public schools.

The design of this paper and poll was finalised prior to the Hamas attacks of October 7th (2023). However, fieldwork for the poll itself was conducted throughout November 2023, during the aftermath of the attack, and the ongoing substantial loss of life in the Middle East.

The research indicates that there are a multitude of factors which may be influencing the levels of antisemitism in public schools, including — conflating the political with the personal, apathy towards antisemitism amongst some members of the teaching workforce, cultural factors, poor pedagogical approaches to teaching the Holocaust, and the influence of social media in spreading and normalising antisemitic content.