Islamic clerics accused of preaching hate and inciting violence could be hit with legal action as Jewish leaders claim anti-Semitic remarks are not being prosecuted.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry will target statements made in a series of sermons posted online and held in various Sydney venues.
The national Jewish body said it expressed “outrage and disgust” at comments made by preachers Wissam Haddad, Brother Ismail, Brother Mohammed and Sheik Ahmed Zoud in recent months.
NSW police previously confirmed they were investigating comments by Brother Ismail, who warned the government was "pushing Muslims into a corner" and "jihad is the solution" during a sermon at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in southwest Sydney in October.
Both state and federal police dropped their inquiries after finding the sermons had not breached NSW or Commonwealth laws.
Jewry Council president Daniel Aghion called for the "repeated hate-mongering against Jews" to stop.
“One can only imagine the entirely justifiable outcry if any such rank vilification were expressed from a synagogue pulpit about Muslims," he said in a statement on Monday.
Mr Aghion said the Jewish community was “deeply disappointed and distressed” that no action had been taken in response to serious incidents of hate speech since Hamas's attacks on October 7.
“If existing laws are not fit for the purpose of dealing with this hate-filled bile, and the stoking of violence, then the law should be reformed as a matter of urgency," he said.
The Jewish leader said his community would be forced to take legal action itself.
“Whilst we still have hope that the relevant authorities will act on these matters, our organisation will pursue the legal remedies that are available to us against those who have preached hate and promoted violence."
The council has not specified what legal action it will take, however it previously lodged complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission and through the courts over alleged breaches of racial discrimination laws.
Last month, it called on state and federal governments to establish a national anti-Semitism education campaign to ensure Australians understood the impact of such incidents on the community.
Islamic community leaders have also reported an increase in racism and hate speech in Australia amid tensions over the conflict in Gaza.
More than 1200 Israelis were killed and up to 240 taken hostage in the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by the Australian government.
Israel's subsequent bombardment, blockade and ground invasion has left more than 22,800 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health ministry figures.
The rising death toll has led to widespread protests in Australia and calls from Palestinian supporters for the government to take a stronger stance in condemning Israel's retaliatory actions.
