ANTISEMITISM and Islamophobia have reared their ugly heads in Newcastle ("Graffiti horrifies Jewish community", Newcastle Herald 14/11) just as NSW Premier Chis Minns is attempting to strengthen the parts of the Crimes Act that makes it punishable to incite violence or to threaten violence. Minns is responding to the hate-speech and confrontation between pro-Palestinian and pro-Jewish demonstrators, and I expect also the lobbying of various religious groups.
I believe Minns' move is merely a political gesture. He knows that hot heads in all religious groups will always be intolerant of outsiders and adherents to other religions. He also knows that the only two previous convictions under the relevant parts of the Crimes Act were annulled on appeal. In addition, Minns knows that any new law cannot change people's nature.
