Key Takeaways:

• Australian police discovered explosives near Sydney linked to antisemitic plots.
• A list of Jewish targets was found alongside a cache of Powergel, indicating a serious threat.
• Officials report a rise in antisemitic crimes since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023.

MELBOURNE, Australia — In a significant development, Australian police suspect that explosives discovered on Sydney’s outskirts are tied to an alarming rise in antisemitic arson and graffiti incidents occurring across major cities. The cache, found on January 19 in a trailer in Dural, contained a list of Jewish targets alongside Powergel, a mining explosive. New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson reported that the quantity of explosives could potentially create a blast reaching up to 130 feet.

Hudson labeled the incident an "escalation" of recent antisemitic acts that have seen businesses and vehicles targeted and vandalized. He expressed concern about the devastating potential of these explosives, stating, "The use of explosives ... have the potential to cause a great deal of damage." While several individuals connected to the broader antisemitic crimes have been arrested, police have not disclosed specific details regarding the intended targets.

This surge in targeted attacks coincides with the heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has proliferated antisemitic sentiments in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, home to approximately 85% of Australia’s Jewish population. Noteworthy incidents include a fire at a Melbourne synagogue in December that left a worshiper with burn injuries, drawing attention from counterterrorism teams at both federal and state levels.

In response to the growing crisis, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has also described the situation surrounding the explosives as a possible mass casualty event, emphasizing that "there’s only one way of calling it out and that is terrorism." He underscored the need for the government to mobilize all available resources to safeguard the Jewish community against this escalating threat.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the situation as “intolerable,” urging the Australian authorities to combat antisemitism more rigorously. The rising tide of hate crimes has alarmed many, with calls for immediate action to combat this pervasive issue.

This discovery serves as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by minority communities and underscores the importance of vigilance amidst rising tensions. For further details, refer to the reports by LA Times and India Times.