Australia's top diplomat says everyone must 'stand together against Islamophobia'

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The world must “stand together against Islamophobia," said Australia’s foreign minister on Tuesday.

Penny Wong's remarks came after two mosques in Adelaide, South Australia were hit by arson attacks last week, a development she said left her “appalled.”

"All of us, including every political leader, must stand together against Islamophobia,” Wong wrote on X. "We all have a responsibility to call out discrimination, hate speech and prejudice wherever we see it."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government "is supporting Australian Palestinian, Muslim and other communities affected by the conflict as well as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry," she added.

Ahmad Zreika, head of the Islamic Society of South Australia, said that the local community has witnessed acts of hate crimes since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict earlier this month.

"There is no doubt that what is happening in Gaza and Israel, and the support of Western media and politicians for Israel, has fueled this mindset among a certain segment of people, causing fear of Islam and Muslims to increase," Zreika told local 7News.

"We want the government to be mindful of their language and ensure it is balanced because bias toward Israel is going to fuel the hatred among ignorant individuals," he added.

Gaza has been under relentless Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, since Hamas launched a cross-border raid into southern Israel.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 5,087, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in Hamas attacks.