A new study of over 2 million online posts reveals that anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate in Australia has become more persistent and more closely linked to real-world events since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. The research, conducted by the Tackling Hate Lab, analyzed social media posts from X (formerly Twitter) and verified offline incidents of vandalism, harassment, and physical violence targeting Jewish and Muslim Australians between 2021 and 2026.
Key Findings on Online Hate
Identity attacks targeting Jews increased from an average of 0.3 posts per day the year before October 7 to 16.8 posts per day the year after, remaining elevated through March 2026. Attacks targeting Israel rose from 1.3 to 78.9 posts per day over the same period. For Muslims, identity attacks increased from 2.8 posts per day before October 7 to 42 posts per day in the subsequent year. However, the largest surge in anti-Muslim hate occurred after the Bondi terrorist attack, reaching 1,323.3 posts per day in the following week before stabilizing at 224.4 posts per day in the subsequent month.
Consistency Across Definitions
The researchers used multiple methods to measure hate, including Google’s Perspective API and a custom AI model reflecting community perceptions. Despite differing definitions, all approaches showed the same long-term shift. As the report notes, "public debate in Australia often focuses on definitions, but our findings suggest that, whatever definition is used, the overall trend remains remarkably consistent."
Connection Between Online and Offline Hate
Before October 7, online discussions and offline incidents were often separate. Afterward, attacks targeting Jewish or Muslim Australians were much more likely to trigger waves of online hostility. For example, every verified offline incident of anti-Muslim hate generated an average of about 12 additional hateful posts online. This cycle means online and offline hate can no longer be treated as separate problems.
Policy Implications
The researchers recommend establishing a permanent Observatory of Hate to monitor hate targeting all communities, not just Jewish and Muslim Australians. This would help identify emerging threats, evaluate policies, and improve accountability for tech companies. The report concludes, "The biggest lesson from our research is not simply that anti-Jewish hate and anti-Muslim hate increased after October 7. It is that both appear to have entered a new phase."
