• Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, labeled a recent attack on a Sydney synagogue as an escalation in antisemitic crime.
• The incident involved attempted arson and graffiti, marking a troubling rise in antisemitic activities in the area.
• Counterterrorism command has taken over investigations into the matter, highlighting the severity of recent threats.
• Jewish community leaders are advocating for increased security measures and resources from the government.
• The attacks have surged in the context of recent geopolitical tensions in Israel and Gaza.

The premier of Australia’s New South Wales state, Chris Minns, stated on Sunday that an attack on a Sydney synagogue on Saturday signifies a notable escalation in antisemitic crime in the state after police confirmed the incident was an attempted arson. This marks a continuation of a troubling trend, as Australia has experienced a series of antisemitic incidents over the past year, including graffiti on buildings and vehicles in Sydney, along with an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne deemed a terrorist act by police. 

In the most recent incident, police were alerted to antisemitic graffiti on a synagogue located in the inner suburb of Newtown and later reported the failed arson attempt. In a televised media conference, Minns commented, “This is an escalation in antisemitic crime in New South Wales. Police and the government remain very concerned that an accelerant may have been used,” bringing attention to the urgent nature of the crimes in question. State police commissioner Karen Webb also noted that these matters are now under the purview of counterterrorism command. 

Additionally, a residence in Sydney’s east, home to a significant Jewish community, was also vandalized with antisemitic graffiti. Investigators are looking into offensive remarks made on a street poster in Marrickville, as well. This growing concern prompted the establishment of a special police task force on Friday to address an earlier attack on the Southern Sydney Synagogue located in Allawah.

David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, expressed approval for the additional resources promised by the government to investigate these incidents further. He remarked, “The New South Wales government has also provided us with additional funding to enhance Jewish communal security.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking on the matter, affirmed that there is “no place in Australia, our tolerant multicultural community, for this sort of criminal activity.” The alarming rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic events has been linked to escalating violence between Hamas and Israel since October 2023, prompting calls from some Jewish organizations for the government to take stronger action against this concerning trend.

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