Social commentators observe that Australian society is now more divided than ever before. The Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the subsequent prolonged Israeli attacks on Gaza, and the continuing provocation in the occupied West Bank have polarised Jewish-Muslim relations. Social media accelerates and disseminates the animosity. Consequently, there has been an astronomical rise in both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The anti-Jewish terrorist attack on Bondi on December 14, 2025, confirmed the Jews’ worst fears and shocked and appalled us all. More than 20,000 written submissions were made to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Jewish community leaders have aired their grievances. Their accounts of antisemitism are shocking and harrowing. No one should be targeted by such racist words and actions.
However, the Commission’s narrow focus on antisemitism, largely overlooking the wider dimension of social cohesion, means that the voices of other communities are not heard. This one-sidedness results in a perception of “exceptionalism” on the one hand, that one community’s concerns are more important than others, and “alienation” on the other hand, that other communities’ concerns are not given their due consideration. The media reports on the Commission’s hearings inevitably broadcast this skewed impression, exacerbating the sense of division. Some community spokespersons escalate it even further by trying to discredit or delegitimise the other.
Populist politicians have fanned the flames of intolerance by promoting a monoculture that erases the richness and diversity of the many ethnicities, cultures, and religions that make up our multicultural, multifaith society.
How can we find hope in these hyper-contested times? In recent weeks, I have been privileged to be part of several events that give me hope.
The Abraham Conference hosted a “Listening Circle”. A select group of 10 Jews, 10 Christians, and 10 Muslims came together. We listened to each other. There was no discussion, no comment, no debate. We simply listened. We spoke our truth. It was emotional and heartfelt. We heard each other’s pain and hurt. We recognised our similar suffering and our common humanity. There was deep bonding. It was a healing experience for all involved. There needs to be much more listening like this to diffuse the toxic animosity that is tearing the fabric of our society apart.
I was a participant in a “Social Cohesion Roundtable” hosted by Western Sydney University, which brought together leaders from government, policing, business, education, sport, faith, philanthropy, and community. There was open sharing about the economic, educational, social, and other stressors that lead to marginalisation, the many good things already taking place, and the need for greater cross-sector collaboration. Working groups will be established to formulate strategies to achieve positive outcomes. The Baha’i community hosted a Social Cohesion Roundtable on “Creating an Inclusive Narrative”. It was good to see and hear the inclusivity and mutual respect among the participants from diverse backgrounds.
On two recent occasions, I have been invited to give talks on peace. I spoke on “Peace and Harmony in the Christian Faith” at an interfaith seminar at St John’s Anglican Church, Padstow. I was guest speaker for the World Christian Leaders Conference’s Webinar, “United for Peace: Christians in a Multi-Faith World”. From these invitations, it is evident that people are hungering and thirsting for peace. From the Listening Circles and Roundtables, it is heartening that secular and religious parties are responding to the challenge. And Pope Leo’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addressed “to all the Catholic faithful, to all Christians and to all men and women of goodwill”, provides a key remedy: respect for the “grandeur of humanity” through encounter and dialogue.
Faith assures us that God’s peace will prevail. Let our daily prayer be, “thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney
Regional Director of Oceania
directoroceania@columban.org.au
Listen to "From the Director - Peace through dialogue"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - September/October 2026
