The Australian Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers, was compelled to put out a statement on Thursday expressing his alarm that early voting numbers "are down by approximately 11.2 per cent based on the same period in the 2022 federal election".

"A mob undeterred creates a movement," Dutton said, and after listing a range of events which he said demonstrated this alarming trend, went on to blame "a lack of political leadership from those in power" for "the rise in anti-Semitism" in Australia.

But at a deeper level, if we are talking political leadership, Dutton's unrelenting and increasing policy of addressing the catastrophe that has occurred in the Middle East since October 7 purely through the lens of what it means for Jewish Australians — and ignoring the fact tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives — doesn't really seem to fit the bill.

Dutton pays little heed to these concerns in his public remarks, and attacks the prime minister for failing to "see the danger which anti-Semitism poses to our social cohesion, to our way of life, and to the preservation of the Australian achievement".

This was because she said the recognition of a Palestinian state is "the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence" in the Middle East and a two-state solution would help ensure long-term security for Israel and further undermine Hamas.

The move to appoint the former chief of the Defence Force Mark Binskin to investigate the killing of seven humanitarian workers in Gaza, including Australian Zomi Frankcom, seems to suggest any pressure Australia is trying to apply is having little effect.

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