MELBOURNE, Australia — In a significant development amid rising antisemitic crimes, Australian detectives are investigating suspicions that foreign actors may be financing local criminals to perpetrate these acts. This inquiry follows a notable increase in antisemitism since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023, as highlighted by Australia Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw during a recent meeting with state police chiefs in Canberra.

Kershaw indicated that their inquiries include determining the identities of those funding these crimes, whether based in Australia or overseas, and understanding their motivations. “We believe criminals-for-hire may be behind some incidents,” he remarked, adding that the investigation involves examining payment methods, including potential use of cryptocurrency, which complicates tracing efforts. According to AP News, police are looking into 15 serious allegations related to antisemitic crime.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also discussed the alarming trend, stating, “It would appear ... that some of these attacks are being perpetrated by people who don’t have a particular issue, aren’t motivated by an ideology, but are paid actors.” His remarks came after the latest incidents, including an arson attack on a childcare center near a synagogue in Sydney, which underscored the targeted nature of these crimes in major urban centers like Sydney and Melbourne, home to 85% of Australia's Jewish population. The rise in such attacks has prompted New South Wales Police to increase the number of detectives working under Strike Force Pearl from 20 to 40 to intensify their efforts against antisemitic crime.

Additionally, Kershaw mentioned the investigation into the possible radicalization of young individuals who might be incited to commit antisemitic acts through online platforms. After a recent arrest of a suspect accused of attempting to set fire to a synagogue in Newtown, Sydney, police have indicated that an accomplice may also face charges imminently, as reported by TIME.

Such investigations underscore a growing concern over the global dimensions of antisemitism and the potential for external involvement in domestic hate crimes. Ongoing inquiries continue to shed light on the motivations behind these antisemitic incidents and whether foreign funding plays a critical role in the escalation of such divisive actions in Australia.

For continuous updates on this situation, refer to Al Jazeera.