NCAM Supports Firm Action on Antisemitism, but New Measures Must Protect Equal Rights for All

Media Release – 31 October 2026

The National Council of Australian Muslims (NCAM) supports firm action to confront antisemitism in Australia. On Friday, the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, released updated priorities. They include restrictions on face coverings and move-on powers at protests, nationwide safe access exclusion zones, tougher visa screening against “core Australian values”, a Home Affairs team to review visas already granted, and an external ombudsman for the ABC and SBS.

“Antisemitism must be confronted firmly, and NCAM stands with the Jewish community in that effort,” NCAM Director Sajida Salman said. “No Australian should fear going to synagogue, to school or to work because of who they are. But measures to protect one community must never come at the cost of another’s rights.”

NCAM asks for clarity on face coverings. Muslim women who wear the niqab do so as an act of faith. Any restriction on face coverings at protests must clearly exempt religious dress, so that it cannot be used to single out Muslim women at peaceful gatherings.

As NCAM said yesterday about the new visa character rules, any visa test based on “values” must use clear, objective criteria and be applied in the same way to every community. If safe access zones are introduced, they should protect all places of worship equally, including mosques, which have faced vandalism and gunfire this year.

NCAM also calls for the same urgency on Islamophobia. In July the Government responded to 35 of the 54 recommendations of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, and declined to endorse several. Peaceful protest, including for Palestinian human rights, must remain protected. Criticism of the Israeli Government is not antisemitism, just as criticism of any Muslim-majority government is not Islamophobia.

“Laws on face coverings, protest and visas must be clear, fair and applied equally to every Australian,” Ms Salman said. “Hatred of Jews and hatred of Muslims grow from the same roots. We will defeat both only by standing together.”

For media inquiries, please contact: media@ncam.au

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National Council of Australian Muslims (NCAM) acknowledges all First Peoples as the Traditional Custodians throughout the land across Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect the historical and traditional connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to the land, water, culture and community. We appreciate the importance of the world’s oldest living culture, and support the union of a reconciled Australia. NCAM is committed to ensuring inclusion, equity and equality.