Sydney, Australia - A childcare centre was set ablaze early Tuesday morning in Sydney, accompanied by antisemitic graffiti, marking the latest incident in a troubling series of attacks against the Jewish community. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. local time at a facility located near a Jewish school and synagogue in the eastern part of the city, resulting in significant property damage but thankfully no injuries reported, according to Reuters.

This attack represents the second antisemitic incident in just four days, reflecting a surge in similar crimes targeting Jews in Australia's largest city. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the act, asserting that those responsible would be apprehended, and emphasized the need for heightened police resources dedicated to investigating hate crimes. His comments came amidst rising public frustration over a perceived lack of arrests following prior incidents. "The kind of people who would attack a fellow Australian whom they don't know because of their race or religion is completely disgusting," Minns remarked during a media briefing.

The uptick in antisemitic incidents has coincided with heightened global tensions pertaining to the conflict in Gaza, which escalated following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Details revealed that there have been at least six reported incidents targeting the Jewish community in Sydney over the past two months alone. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has labeled the latest attack a "vicious crime" and is facing scrutiny from the opposition over his government's response to the rising tide of hate crimes as a national election approaches.

In light of these concerning events, the Australian Federal Police have initiated a task force aimed at addressing threats and acts of violence against the Jewish community, which has already resulted in the charging of a 44-year-old man last week for allegedly making death threats against a Jewish organization. The continued escalation of antisemitism in the region has raised alarms and prompted officials to enact stricter measures for community safety, as reported by CNN.