Key Takeaways:

• Australian police discovered explosives alongside a list of Jewish targets, indicative of a significant escalation in antisemitic crimes.
• The explosive cache, located in the suburb of Dural, is potent enough to cause a bomb blast with a reach of about 130 feet.
• This incident correlates with a rise in antisemitic actions, including arson cases and vandalism, in major Australian cities since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities in Australia have expressed grave concern after finding a stash of explosives linked to an increasing wave of antisemitic incidents in Sydney and Melbourne. On January 19, police discovered the explosives, known as Powergel, alongside a list detailing potential Jewish targets in a trailer located in Dural, an outer suburb of Sydney, according to New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson. He noted that these explosives could cause a devastating outcome with a potential blast radius of approximately 130 feet.

Hudson categorized this alarming find as a clear escalation in a troubling trend of antisemitic vandalism and arson attacks that have surged since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023. Incidents have included targeted torching of businesses and graffiti defacing buildings predominantly within Sydney and Melbourne, cities which are home to around 85% of Australia's Jewish population. He stated, “The use of explosives ... have the potential to cause a great deal of damage,” further emphasizing the serious nature of the situation.

While some individuals have been arrested in connection to the broader antisemitic campaign, Hudson indicated that they were not directly linked to the explosive stash. He refrained from naming specific Jewish targets, noting that informing the Jewish community of these threats was a priority.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns emphasized the importance of using the full resources of the government to tackle the threat. He described the discovery as “a potential mass casualty event,” labeling it as terrorism and expressing deep concern for the Jewish community's safety. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the situation as “intolerable,” advocating for stronger action from the Australian government against escalating antisemitism.

One recent incident highlighted the urgency of the situation, where a worshipper sustained burn injuries in an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue last December. Local authorities continue to investigate these incidents as part of a coordinated counterterrorism effort involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.

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