Vandals set fire to a car and sprayed anti-Israel graffiti in Woollahra, a Sydney suburb with Australia’s largest Jewish community. The attack, condemned by officials as antisemitic, has escalated concerns about hate crimes in the country.
Federal police recently launched Special Operation Avalite to tackle the rising wave of antisemitic incidents, including arson at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue and attacks on Jewish individuals and institutions. Authorities have classified the Melbourne synagogue arson as a terrorist attack, allowing for enhanced investigative resources.
Police in Woollahra are searching for two suspects, aged between 15 and 20, seen wearing face masks and dark clothing at the scene. The graffiti’s specific content remains undisclosed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the Woollahra attack as a “hate crime” and pledged solidarity with the Jewish community. “This isn’t criticism of a government; it’s an attack on people for being Jewish,” he stated, emphasizing Australia’s foundational values of inclusion and mutual respect.
Opposition figures criticized the government’s response to rising antisemitism. Senator Jane Hume claimed that delayed condemnation may have emboldened perpetrators, sharing anecdotes of Jewish families considering emigration due to safety concerns.
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre issued a travel advisory, urging Jews to exercise caution in Australia due to what it described as the authorities’ insufficient response to growing antisemitism.
