The Australian opposition proposes to test for anti-Semitism for those applying for citizenship.

The Australian opposition proposed this Wednesday to include an anti-Semitism test in citizenship exams, an idea that the Liberal Party and its allies plan to implement if they win power in the country's elections, which must be held before May 17.

MP Angus Taylor told public broadcaster ABC that the coalition seeking to unseat Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will seek to introduce at least one question to screen for anti-Semitism, amid a climate of institutional concern over what is seen as a rise in anti-Jewish attitudes since the start of the war between Israel and the Gaza-controlled Hamas terrorist organization in October 2023.

"We've already said we will strengthen our citizenship test to ensure it includes a specific question, a criterion on antisemitism, because we've seen rampant antisemitism in this country," he stressed, without elaborating on the nature of the test they intend to implement.

This idea comes one day after Opposition Leader Petter Dutton announced his intention to call a constitutional referendum to allow the deportation of criminals who hold Australian nationality as a second nationality.

Regarding the proposed anti-Semitism test, Dutton said that when a person acquires Australian citizenship, they should be asked "to join the greatest country in the world," swearing loyalty and protecting its sovereignty.

In February, the Australian Parliament passed legislative reforms that toughen penalties for hate crimes and, among other changes, establish a minimum one-year prison sentence for anyone who gives the Nazi salute, in an attempt to stem the rise of anti-Semitism.

Since the start of the war between Israel and the Islamic terrorist group Hamas in October 2023, the government has reported an increase in attacks against the Jewish community in Australia, which represents 0,4% of the population of more than 26 million.

The Canberra government has repeatedly expressed its concern about the division created in Australian society following the war against Hamas in Gaza and has even created two special positions to combat rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the southern nation. Aurora and EFE