MELBOURNE, Australia — Anti-Muslim incidents have “skyrocketed” across Australia since the Israel-Hamas war began nearly two years ago, the country’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia said. The envoy, Aftab Malik, handed his first report to the government on Friday.

The report’s 54 recommendations include a review of counterterrorism laws and procedures to investigate potential discrimination.

Malik also recommended a wide-ranging inquiry into Islamophobia to investigate its main drivers and potential discrimination in government policies.

“The reality is that Islamophobia in Australia has been persistent, at times ignored and other times denied, but never fully addressed,” Malik told reporters.

Islamophobia had intensified since the al-Qaida attacks on the United States on Sept. 11

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