A childcare centre in Sydney’s eastern suburbs was set ablaze early Tuesday morning, with antisemitic graffiti found scrawled on its walls, marking the latest in a series of attacks targeting the Jewish community in Australia. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. local time and caused extensive damage to the facility, which is situated near a Jewish school and synagogue. Authorities confirmed there were no reported injuries.
This is the second antisemitic property attack in Sydney in four days, reflecting a disturbing rise in hate crimes across the city. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns vowed swift justice, emphasizing the state’s commitment to combating such incidents. “The kind of people who would … attack a fellow Australian whom they don’t know because of their race or religion, it is completely disgusting, and these bastards will be rounded up by the police,” Minns stated during a press conference.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the arson, calling it “a vicious crime” and reaffirming the federal government’s stance against hate-fueled violence. In response to the surge in incidents, federal authorities have launched a task force dedicated to investigating threats and violence against the Jewish community.
The rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in Australia follows the escalation of violence in the Middle East, which began with the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent response in Gaza. Sydney alone has reported at least six antisemitic incidents in the past two months.
Last week, the Australian Federal Police made its first arrest under the newly formed task force, charging a 44-year-old man for allegedly making death threats against members of a Jewish organisation. Despite these efforts, public frustration over the lack of arrests in other high-profile cases continues to grow.
As the country approaches a federal election, the issue of antisemitism has become a significant point of contention, with opposition parties criticizing Albanese for what they describe as a “weak” response to hate crimes. Meanwhile, Jewish community leaders are calling for increased security measures and tougher laws to protect their communities.
The arson attack serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address hate crimes in Australia and safeguard all communities against acts of intolerance and violence.