A white nationalist organisation staged an openly antisemitic rally outside the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament in Sydney, displaying a banner reading “Abolish the Jewish lobby” and delivering speeches accusing Australian Jews of controlling politics, media, and legislation. The event sparked national outrage — not only because of the extremist rhetoric, but because NSW Police allowed the rally to proceed, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Videos posted on Telegram by the group White Australia showed black-clad men standing in formation as a speaker declared: “The Jewish lobby is destroying our nation… They bribe our politicians… They own our politicians.”
The speakers also attacked the new NSW hate crimes legislation, passed in February, which strengthens penalties for Nazi symbols, extremist propaganda, and threats against minority groups. They falsely claimed Jews had fabricated antisemitic incidents and “paid biker gangs” to commit arson — despite Australian intelligence confirming Iranian operatives were behind at least two recent antisemitic attacks.
White Australia demanded that the laws be repealed and repeated long-standing antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jewish political influence.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies condemned police for authorising the rally, calling the scenes “chilling” and unacceptable outside a democratic institution: “The despicable words of antisemitism that were uttered should never find a home in our society.”
The Palestine Action Group Sydney, which has frequently been at odds with the Jewish community, also condemned police, claiming a double standard, as authorities have tried to restrict their marches while “waving through neo-Nazi rallies.”
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman questioned how such a “disgusting scene” was permitted.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon defended the officers’ decision as a “judgment call” that balanced free speech with public order, although he said the process would now be reviewed.
NSW Premier Chris Minns signalled he may introduce new legislation to give police clearer powers to shut down extremist gatherings, warning that white nationalist groups target not only Jews but also Indian and Muslim communities.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said antisemitic conspiracy theories are now more widespread than at any time since the Second World War: “Neo-Nazis are adept at exploiting grievances and prejudices. We must restore decency and rationalism to this country.”
Robert Gregory, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, urged Australians from all backgrounds to unite against “racist freaks,” while noting his organisation’s opposition to hate speech laws on principle.
The rally took place months after the federal ban on Nazi salutes, Nazi symbols, and terrorist iconography, followed by NSW laws introducing: New offences for promoting violence against protected groups, bans on threatening or advocating attacks on minority communities, penalties for displaying extremist symbols, and a minimum six-year sentence for terrorism-related offences
Jewish groups have asked whether this protest — explicitly targeting Jews as a group — should now be investigated under the very laws the extremists claimed to oppose.
Photo credit: SCREENSHOT/TELEGRAM/WHITE AUSTRALIA/ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 27 OF THE COPYRIGHT LAW
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