Australia PM condemns arson incident and anti-Israel graffiti
Australian police have opened an investigation after a car was set on fire and anti-Israel graffiti was sprayed on houses in Sydney. The incident has been denounced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a “hate crime.” He told ABC News: “There is no place for antisemitism in this country, or anywhere else.”
This follows a recent fire at a synagogue in Melbourne, which caused minor injuries to a man and is being treated by police as a potential terrorist attack.
Sydney authorities are seeking two individuals, aged between 15 and 20, in connection with the vandalism. The suspects, described as wearing “face coverings and dark clothing,” were seen fleeing the scene, according to New South Wales Police.
“We are asking for the public’s help to identify these two individuals,” said Commissioner Karen Webb.
Police confirmed the car fire was quickly extinguished after firefighters arrived at Woollahra, a suburb in eastern Sydney, around 01:00 local time (14:00 GMT). Anti-Israel slogans, including “Kill Israiel” [sic], were found on the fence of two properties and on cars.
The car involved in the fire was driven to the scene by the suspects, police stated.
Albanese reported that he had discussed the vandalism with the Australian Federal Police (AFP). This week, the AFP created a special task force to investigate antisemitic incidents, including the suspected terror attack in Melbourne and a similar vandalism spree in Woollahra last month. Authorities do not believe the two Woollahra incidents are related.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns noted that the recent event appeared to be “specifically designed” to “intimidate the Jewish community in Sydney.”
“If the question is can we do more? I think the answer is yes, and I’m not closing the door to changes to the law,” he told reporters, adding that he had spoken with Israel’s Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon.
The president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, said his community was “deeply saddened” by what had happened, but that they would “not be cowed”.
