Rising Antisemitic Attacks in Australia Spark National Concern
Australia is facing a growing wave of antisemitic attacks that have left Jewish communities in fear and raised questions about the role of external actors in these incidents. The recent arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, along with multiple incidents in Sydney, has prompted heightened security measures and calls for stronger government action.
A Community in Fear
Judith Lewis, a Sydney restaurateur, lost her family’s Continental Kitchen to an arson attack in late October. The café, which had served kosher food for over 50 years, was destroyed, and the mezuzah—a symbol of Jewish faith—was damaged in the fire. Despite purchasing new mezuzahs, Lewis hesitates to install them in the new location, unsure of what is holding her back. “I’ve got them sitting on my desk and I’m a little bit hesitant to put them up,” she said. Her experience is shared by many in Australia’s Jewish community, which numbers around 117,000 people.
The attacks have included swastikas painted on buildings and cars, as well as red paint splashed on the home of a prominent Jewish leader in Sydney. These acts have created a climate of anxiety, with Jewish leaders demanding more decisive action from authorities.
Police Investigation into Paid Criminals
Authorities are investigating 15 serious allegations among over 166 reports of antisemitic attacks since mid-December. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw stated that police are looking beyond suspects accused of carrying out the crimes, to “overseas actors” who may have paid for their services. This line of inquiry has been repeated in subsequent days, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledging that “it’s unclear who or where the payments are coming from.”
Albanese also mentioned the involvement of the Five Eyes alliance, which includes Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. “This isn’t something that began yesterday,” he said. “These things are ongoing, which is why people have been rounded up, arrested, and charged.”
Text Messages Reveal Possible Links
A police task force called Strike Force Pearl was formed in December to investigate antisemitic hate crimes in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb noted that some suspects appear to have been paid, though the principals behind these actions remain unknown.
Text messages exchanged between two men who pleaded guilty to one of the Sydney arson attacks point to the involvement of a third person pulling the strings. One message referenced a third person using the handle “jamesbond” on the encrypted app Signal. The messages suggest that the arsonists were not entirely satisfied with the results of their attacks, with one stating, “Its not even 2 per cent burned f*** me dead.”
One of the suspects claimed he was acting under duress due to debt and death threats, according to court documents. Lewis believes the attacks were orchestrated by an outside player, saying, “I don’t know who’s directing these fires and this graffiti and all this damage, because it’s definitely not the people who are doing it.”
Political Tensions and Public Outcry
Security has been upgraded at Jewish sites across Sydney, including synagogues, schools, and places of business. Authorities are adopting increasingly tough language against those accused of antisemitic crimes, with NSW Premier Chris Minns stating, “It is completely disgusting, and these bastards will be round up by New South Wales Police.”
However, some Jewish groups accuse the government of being slow to respond, a claim that has taken on political dimensions ahead of a federal election. Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton criticized Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for what he described as a “weak” response to protests against the lighting of the Sydney Opera House in Israeli flag colors.
Dutton referred to the events of October 9, 2023, when hundreds of demonstrators waved Palestinian flags to protest the decision. He argued that the rise in antisemitic attacks was “entirely predictable” and urged the government to escalate its response. Albanese denied being slow to act, emphasizing the need to bring the country together rather than seek political advantage.
Broader Implications and Calls for Action
A joint statement from multi-faith and human rights groups emphasized that Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians have also been targeted by hate crimes. The statement urged political leaders to condemn recent attacks without seeking to politicize them for gain.
Michelle Berkon, a member of Jews Against the Occupation ’48, criticized the suggestion that Palestinians or their supporters were behind the antisemitic attacks. “Who stands to benefit from this? It’s certainly not the Palestinians, is it?” she asked.
Experts have suggested that Russian intelligence could be involved, citing past efforts to undermine trust in Western democracies. Australian police are investigating whether cryptocurrency was used for payments, complicating efforts to trace the source.
Harsh Sentences and Public Reaction
The 10 people arrested so far by NSW Police are aged between 19 and 40. One of the men involved in the Curly Lewis Brewing fire was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with a non-parole period of 10 months. Lewis, whose café was burned to the ground, called the sentence “outrageous,” arguing that the perpetrator should receive a 10-year sentence.
Police have indicated they will appeal the ruling. Lewis remains focused on ensuring the perpetrators face justice, while also expressing gratitude for the support from suppliers and the community. “Everyone wanted to help, and it was fantastic,” she said.
Long-Term Solutions Needed
Max Kaiser, executive officer of the Jewish Council Australia, emphasized that policing alone cannot address the broader issue of racism in Australia. He called for education and a community approach that brings together different faiths to combat hatred.
Lewis, despite the destruction of her family’s business, remains hopeful. “The one thing that really, really stunned me was, right from the beginning, after the fire, people would come up and say, ‘Tell us what we can do. We can clean, we can do whatever you want,’” she said. “Everyone wanted to help, and it was fantastic.”
