The Manufactured Crisis: How Weaponised Antisemitism Is Fuelling a Dangerous Cycle of Censorship, Control, and Backlash

In recent weeks, Australia has witnessed a blatant abuse of police power, selective enforcement of laws, and a growing double standard in addressing racism. The case of Sarah Abu Lebdeh, a 26-year-old nurse charged under Commonwealth law for an offensive online comment, exemplifies a broader pattern where the suppression of discussion, rather than open dialogue, is fuelling more resentment and division.

This issue extends beyond a single incident. The way antisemitism is framed, enforced, and weaponised in Australia—and globally—is symptomatic of a much larger problem. The cycle of censorship, selective outrage, and legal overreach is not solving discrimination; it is actively exacerbating it.

The Double Standard on Racism: Who Gets Protection and Who Doesn’t?

To understand the depth of hypocrisy in how racism is handled in Australia, consider two moments from the recent Q&A program:

Janet Abadee, a Jewish woman, expressed that she and her community feel unsafe and hurt due to the lack of action against rising antisemitic behaviour. She demanded stronger measures, such as revoking citizenship for racist and antisemitic acts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that antisemitism is unacceptable and affirmed his long-standing opposition to it, emphasising that Australia is a multicultural nation that should represent harmony. Despite passing laws against Nazi symbols and hate speech, Abadee stressed the need for stronger measures. Albanese responded that many offences were committed by Australian citizens and reiterated the government's legal efforts, promising continued collaboration with the community.

Ahmed Al-Shaimari, a Muslim man, spoke about actual racist attacks happening in Australia—women in hijabs being assaulted in public. Unlike Abadee, he didn’t call for extreme legal measures, just basic reassurance from the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the issue, stating that such attacks are "completely unacceptable." This exchange underscores the importance of addressing racism and ensuring safety for all communities.

Both expressed concerns about racism. Yet, only one received national attention and full government backing.

Jewish Australians—who are not a racial group but rather a religious and cultural identity—are given a special category of protection that no other minority receives. Meanwhile, Muslims, Arabs, Indigenous Australians, and other racial minorities face systemic racism, police profiling, and even violent attacks, yet there is no national crackdown, sweeping legal reforms, or mass mobilisation of police resources in their defence.

This double standard is fuelling resentment. Instead of addressing it, the government and media double down—further suppressing dissent and criminalising discussion.

The Overreach in the Sarah Abu Lebdeh Case

The prosecution of Sarah Abu Lebdeh for an offensive online comment is a perfect example of selective enforcement and state overreach. 

Let’s be clear: what she said was wrong. But was it a crime worthy of Commonwealth charges? Absolutely not.

➡️ No patients were harmed.

➡️ No actual violence occurred.

➡️ It was an online conversation.

If the goal was to maintain trust in the healthcare system, an internal hospital disciplinary action would have sufficed. Instead, police were mobilised to send a message.

Now compare this to the actual physical attacks on Muslim women in Melbourne—where was the police task force? Where was the national outcry and legal crackdown?

This isn’t about justice; it’s about who has the political influence to mobilise law enforcement to their advantage. When police become enforcers of political pressure rather than protectors of actual public safety, you have the beginnings of an authoritarian system.

The Manufactured Crisis of Antisemitism

The root cause of antisemitism is not irrational hatred that appears out of nowhere. It arises because:

1. People see disproportionate power and influence—in media, finance, and politics.

2. They recognise blatant double standards—where Jewish concerns are prioritised over others.

3. They are not allowed to question it.

But instead of addressing these concerns through open discussion, governments and media shut down conversations with accusations of hate speech. This creates paranoia, resentment, and radicalisation, leading to actual antisemitic incidents increasing—which then justifies even more censorship and legal crackdowns.

It’s a self-perpetuating cycle.

1. People notice influence and special treatment.

2. They question it. They get silenced.

3. They become paranoid and radicalised.

4. More antisemitic incidents occur.

5. Government enforces even harsher laws, feeding the resentment further.

Every time governments silence discussion instead of engaging with it honestly, they are not stopping antisemitism—they are creating it.

Abuse of Police Power & The Criminalisation of Speech

What makes this truly alarming is the role of police in enforcing this political agenda.

🚨 Hate speech laws are being weaponised to protect one group while ignoring others.

🚨 Police resources are being wasted on online speech crimes instead of actual violent offences.

🚨 Dissent is being criminalised, and free speech is under attack.

If criticising influence and power structures is now considered hate speech, where does this end?

🔗 Will criticism of government policies be criminalised next?

🔗 Will questioning corporate power be considered “economic hate speech”?

🔗 Will discussing police overreach be labelled “anti-law enforcement extremism”?

This is a dangerous precedent—where the state determines which groups are beyond criticism, and law enforcement is used as a political weapon.

The Real Solution: Open Discussion, Not Suppression

The only way to reduce antisemitism, racism, and societal division is through transparency, fairness, and open debate.

Instead of silencing critics and criminalising speech, we need:

✅ Equal protection under the law for all groups, not just those with influence.

✅ A free and open discussion on power dynamics, influence, and societal double standards.

✅ A police force that serves justice, not political agendas.

If we continue down this path of selective outrage, legal overreach, and suppression of speech, we are not moving toward a safer society—we are moving toward a controlled one.

And the more power is used to silence people, the stronger their reaction will be.