Appearing before a royal commission into anti-Semitism on Monday, Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory was asked to offer opinions on why the trajectory of anti-Semitism had worsened since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel.
"There was some existing anti-Semitism that people felt … now was socially acceptable to unleash it," he said.
"I think government policy, some of the statements and actions from people, particularly in the federal government, have egged on the situation.
"Refusing visas disproportionately to Jewish and Israeli people ... you know, the constant statements."
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is continuing hearings in Sydney focused on security arrangements for the Jewish community.
Mr Gregory, whose organisation has been described by critics as a fringe group, also pointed to "what we saw this weekend at the Labor Party's national conference".
Labor's policy platform, which prompted criticism from Israel's embassy to Australia, called for Israel to comply with obligations as an occupying power.
"Labor opposes the annexation of Palestinian territory and wants Israel to bring its illegal settlement activity and the occupation to an end, to see security for Palestine, for Israel and for the region," the policy said.
"Labor urges the government to prevent any support being given to illegal settlement activity or extremist settler violence, and to implement further action and sanctions as necessary."
Mr Gregory said "this all creates a hostile environment for Jews in this country".
"You can bring in as many physical security policies and funding as you want, but if you don't address the drivers of it, it can only have so much impact."
Counsel for the government Peter Melican said he wanted to put on record a response to Mr Gregory's assertion that the federal government had "egged on" the situation with regards to anti-Semitism".
"Now that's a very broad and somewhat political statement," he said.
"I don't think it can be adequately explored in the context of this hearing. But I just wish to note that that's, of course, not a matter that the federal government accepts."
The royal commission was called after 15 people were killed and dozens more injured when two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14 last year.
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