Palestinian, Arab, Muslim and Jewish Australians have shared harrowing experiences of racism, and the ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict could unleash another wave.
A Palestinian community member labelled a "Hamas sympathiser" and told to "go die in Gaza", a Jewish student met with classroom desks formed into a swastika on Year 12 muck-up day, a Muslim girl bullied for wearing a hijab to school: these are among examples shared with the Australian Human Rights Commission in its report investigating racism in the aftermath of October 7, 2023.
Anti-Semitism, anti-Palestinian racism, anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia have surged in Australia since Hamas's attack on Israel, and the bombardment and starvation of Gaza in response.
Though each form of racism is unique, every group experienced common themes of dehumanisation, isolation and homogenisation, Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said.
"Failing to recognise suffering ... strips people of humanity, and dehumanisation is felt deeply by communities," he said.
Palestinian Christians were told they were not "real" Christians while Muslim community members felt they had to justify existing.
"We have to keep making the case for our humanity. Nobody should have to do that. We are human," one Muslim report participant said.
Jewish and Muslim Australians also reported feeling racism has become acceptable or legitimised.
A Jewish person was Sieg Heil'd and exposed to anti-Semitic Kanye West songs in the workplace, a pig's head was thrown at a mosque and community members wearing items like keffiyehs, Star of David necklaces, hijabs and Orthodox Jewish garbs have been spat on or threatened.
In some cases, responses from government, the media, institution and law enforcement have exacerbated racism and made communities feel even more unsafe.
Mr Sivaraman has urged the government to regain trust and eliminate racism by responding to the National Anti-Racism Framework.
The road map was released in November 2024, but the federal government is yet to implement any of its 63 recommendations.
Without action, racism in Australia could get worse as the conflict between Israel, Iran and the US spills to other regions Australians have migrated from, including Lebanon.
"This report underscores how the current hostilities ... have the potential to unleash racist behaviour here in Australia," Mr Sivaraman said.
Responses to the anti-Semitic mass shooting at Bondi Beach in December and police crackdown on Australians protesting Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit are not included in the report as its community engagement efforts concluded in August.
