Another Australian synagogue attacked with graffiti,
potential arson
Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Authorities in Australia are investigating the defacement of a Sydney synagogue as a potential arson attack, marking the latest crime targeting the Oceania's Jewish community in recent weeks.
The New South Wales Police Force said in a statement that they are searching for two people accused of spray painting graffiti on the fence and building of the synagogue on Georgina Street in Sydney's inner west suburb of Newtown around 4:25 a.m. local time Saturday.
The Newtown Synagogue said its facility was not damaged and was "back to where it was."
"It is frustrating, infuriating and sad that this has happened," the place of worship said in a statement. "The people who did this are cowards, frankly, and it is good that we have taken the security measures we have, so the fence did its job, the CCTV did its job and we continue to do ours, which is to be a light in the community and to the world."
Police on Saturday released screen captures taken from CCTV footage of two suspects, showing them dressed entirely in black.
One wore a hooded sweatshirt with white writing across the front, a backpack and white shoes as well as a white glove on their right hand. They were riding a black-and-white mountain bike.
The other suspect wore a black jacket, tracksuit pants, gloves and white shoes and was seen riding a black motorized scooter.
Police said they are also investigating two other separate but potentially related graffiti incidents. A house in the city's Jewish community was vandalized as were five parked and unattended cars as well as a trailer on the same street. The second incident comprised of "offensive comments" spray painted on a poster.
The incident also comes a day after swastikas were reportedly spray painted on the Southern Sydney Synagogue on Railway Parade in Sydney's southern Allawah suburb, which police are also investigating.
Following the incident involving the Southern Sydney Synagogue, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday called for the full force of the law to be brought down on those responsible.
"There is no place in Australia, our tolerant, multicultural community, for this sort of criminal activity," he said during a press conference.
NSW Premier Chris Minns vowed they will continue to deploy police resources to prevent further "awful hate crimes."
"This horrifying and hateful attack is not representative of our acceptance of and closeness to the Jewish community," Minns said in a statement.
"The individuals responsible are determined to divide our community and spread hate -- this won't be tolerated."
The synagogues were targeted as the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia has been soaring amid Israel's war against Iran-backed Hamas in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people.
Last month, a Jewish suburb of Sydney was vandalized with anti-Jewish slogans and a car was set ablaze. Days earlier, an arson attack gutted a synagogue in Melbourne.
According to a report published late last year by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, there were more than 2,000 anti-Jewish incidents tallied during the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, marking an increase of 316% compared to the same period a year prior.
Police FORCED to protect Aussie Jews from violent Palestinian mob
Brave group takes a stand in Melbourne against anti-Israel demonstrations that have made the CBD a no-go zone for Jews.
In Melbourne’s CBD, a small but determined group of Jewish Australians and their supporters gathered to protest peacefully and reclaim their right to freely walk the city streets.
This followed a disturbing incident the previous week where police moved on members of the Lions of Zion group, led by Yaacov Travitz, for displaying Jewish identity at a local cafe.
The group, standing in solidarity, invoked their rights under the Summary Offences Act to protest. “It’s hoped we can stand here peacefully protesting as is our right,” Travitz stated, underscoring the importance of holding their ground without disruption.
Victoria Police were present early, with an officer telling the group, “Our role is to keep the peace and make sure that everybody is safe,” yet it was unclear how officers would legally move on the small group.
The gathering was met with visible tension as anti-Israel demonstrators arrived, necessitating a police barrier to separate the groups. Among the Jewish supporters was a man carrying both Australian and Israeli flags. “I’m Australian and proud to be Australian, and I’m Jewish and proud to be Jewish,” he said. He expressed frustration at the vilification of Israel, calling for an Australia where all citizens could coexist without fear.
Meanwhile, anti-Israel protesters challenged the group’s presence, with heated exchanges erupting. The protesters dismissed accusations of antisemitism and instead framed their activism as opposition to colonialism. Some even denied well-documented atrocities in an attempt to intimidate the Jewish group.
“The question here is whether they choose to move on those who will break the peace or those who are victims of the breach of peace,” Travitz noted.
Despite the tensions, the rally marked a turning point, with police maintaining the group’s right to protest. The Lions of Zion and their supporters saw this as a victory not only for Melbourne’s Jewish community but for broader civil liberties.
“This city belongs to us, we Melburnians. It doesn’t deserve to be gridlocked every Sunday because of protests,” said a supporter. The sentiment was echoed by others who called for reclaiming public spaces from hostility.
In the face of taunts and opposition, the group remained resolute. “We just want to live in a safe and secure society and exercise our rights as every other Australian citizen,” one participant said.
For the first time in months, Victoria Police ensured the Jewish group could hold their ground, a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for peaceful coexistence and civil rights in Melbourne.
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