On Thursday, American legislators passed anti-hate legislation that would impose minimum sentences for a number of crimes, including a time in prison for a Nazi salute.
Following a number of anti-Semitic strikes, the law was supported by the center-left Labor government and conservative criticism.
Police last year announced they were looking into the matter after discovering mine bombs in a wagon on the fringes of Sydney and written threats against Jewish organizations.
In recent months, criminals have torched a Sydney childcare center, firebombed a Melbourne church and splashed anti-Semitic graffiti on Israeli communities.
The amendments to Australia’s criminal laws result in maximum sentences, including 12 months in jail for making a Nazi respect, three years for funding terrorism, and six years for crimes like committing criminal acts.
Additionally, they increase crimes for advocating for murder and introduce new crimes for threatening violence or causing damage to property.
Despite his group’s long-standing opposition to mandatory minimum words, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his support for the new rules.
” What we’ve done, through our policy, makes sure that we have strong policy”, he told reporters.
We want those who engage in anti-Semitism to get arrested, detained, and placed in the slammer. That’s my goal”.
