In Melbourne, masked individuals set fire to a historic synagogue, while in Sydney, another synagogue was vandalized with red swastikas and a daycare center was torched with antisemitic graffiti. These incidents are part of a concerning increase in antisemitic attacks that have unsettled the Jewish community in Australia, which hosts the largest proportion of Holocaust survivors outside of Israel.
Despite no major casualties reported, the violence signifies a notable rise in tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has also seen a rise in Islamophobic incidents across Australia. The growing reports of arson and vandalism are alarming for a nation that prides itself on multiculturalism and tolerance, where one-third of the population is born overseas.
Authorities are now investigating the potential for international involvement in these recent attacks occurring in Sydney and Melbourne. The latest incident involved a daycare center in Sydney, reported early Tuesday. The head of Australia's federal police indicated that the agency is looking into whether “overseas actors or individuals” may have financially incentivized local perpetrators, although no specific evidence or details were provided.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the investigation into whether financial motives were at play for some of the individuals involved. He stated, “Now, it’s unclear who or where the payments are coming from.” The consideration of foreign influence has heightened anxiety within Australia’s Jewish community, although police have not confirmed any connections among the more than seven attacks reported since October.
In December, the Australian Federal Police established a task force to address violence and threats against the Jewish community. The state police in New South Wales, where most incidents have occurred, reported arresting and charging nine individuals in connection with these crimes. The latest arrest, made on Wednesday, involved a 33-year-old man linked to an attempted arson and graffiti incident on January 11.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the attacks, describing them as a “deliberate attempt to strike terror into the hearts of people that live in this state.” The frequency and severity of the recent attacks set them apart from past incidents, according to Julie Nathan, research director at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which has documented antisemitism since 1990.
Mr. Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the E.C.A.J., described a recent vandalism incident at his former home, noting that it appeared to be specifically targeted, with only his residence marked with red paint while the adjacent unit remained untouched. He expressed emotional distress over the attack, reflecting on the memories associated with his home.
Mr. Ryvchin remarked that he was not shocked by the vandalism, viewing it as a continuation of the openly antisemitic sentiments that have emerged since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. He expressed concern about the unpredictability of daily life within the community, stating, “We wake up every day, and we don’t know what’s going to be hit.”
Despite the heightened attacks, Andrew Markus, an emeritus professor at Monash University, suggested that these incidents do not indicate a broader shift in Australian public attitudes. He noted that while the situation is a significant concern, it arises from a small segment of the population causing fear and anxiety, rather than reflecting a major change in societal views.