A caravan packed with explosives and containing a list of Jewish targets was discovered in Sydney on January 19, prompting a large-scale counterterrorism investigation, Australian law enforcement officials confirmed on Wednesday. The vehicle, found in what police are calling a “highly suspicious” situation, included a note with antisemitic slurs and references to Jewish addresses and a synagogue.
The discovery comes amid a wave of at least 10 antisemitic attacks in Australia in recent months, raising concerns about escalating threats against the Jewish community. New South Wales (NSW) Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said authorities are treating the case as a credible terror threat. Law enforcement agencies are working to determine the origins of the caravan, its ownership, and any associates linked to it. The investigation includes 100 officers from NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police, the NSW Crime Commission, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
So far, several arrests have been made, with some of the detained individuals allegedly tied to prior antisemitic incidents. Authorities are also investigating whether foreign groups may be recruiting local criminals to carry out attacks against Jewish institutions. “We’re taking this seriously, and all lines of inquiry are being pursued, but I want to stress we do not believe there is an ongoing threat from this discovery,” Hudson told reporters.
Investigators are also considering the possibility that the caravan was deliberately placed in a location where it would be found. “Some things just don’t add up,” an anonymous source told the Daily Telegraph, pointing to the conspicuous positioning of the vehicle and the inflammatory note inside. While police continue to probe the case, concerns over rising antisemitism have grown, particularly following incidents of arson and vandalism targeting synagogues and Jewish institutions in Sydney and Melbourne.
The case has drawn international attention, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calling on Australian authorities to act decisively. “The attempted antisemitic terror attack at a synagogue in Sydney is intolerable. This joins a long list of antisemitic attacks in Australia, including setting fire to a childcare center in Sydney, firebombing a synagogue in Melbourne, and many other antisemitic attacks,” Sa’ar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He further warned, “The epidemic of antisemitism is spreading in Australia almost unchecked.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns vowed to take a tough stance against extremism, stating, “I want to make it absolutely clear—anyone attempting terrorism, violence, or hatred will be met with the full force of the law.” As the investigation unfolds, Jewish community leaders have called for increased security measures to protect religious institutions and community centers. Australian authorities have pledged to continue their efforts to combat antisemitic extremism and ensure those responsible for this latest threat face prosecution.