Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned a recent arson incident and vandalism with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney, calling the actions a "hate crime." The remarks come after firefighters extinguished a car blaze and police investigated graffiti found on property fences and vehicles with inflammatory messages like "Kill Israiel" [sic]. Prime Minister Albanese stated during an interview with ABC News that there is "no place for antisemitism in this country, or anywhere for that matter."
Australia's PM Labels Vandalism as Hate Crime Amid Rising Antisemitism
Australia's PM Labels Vandalism as Hate Crime Amid Rising Antisemitism
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks out against an arson attack and anti-Israel incidents in Sydney, emphasizing the urgent need to combat antisemitism.
The incidents have raised alarms within the Jewish community, particularly following a fire at a synagogue in Melbourne earlier this week, which authorities are investigating as a potential terror attack that resulted in minor injuries to one individual. New South Wales Police have released descriptions of two individuals aged between 15 and 20 seen fleeing the vandalism scene, dressed in dark clothing and face coverings. Commissioner Karen Webb emphasized that they need public assistance in identifying the suspects involved.
Firefighters were called to extinguish the car blaze around 01:00 local time (14:00 GMT) in Woollahra, a suburb located in the eastern region of Sydney. The police confirmed that antisemitic graffiti was found at two properties, indicating a targeted attack aimed at the Jewish community. In light of these repeated incidents, which have included earlier vandalism in Woollahra, a special task force was created by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to address rising antisemitism in the country.
In response to the troubling events, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated that the latest acts of vandalism appeared specifically designed to "intimidate the Jewish community in Sydney." Minns did not rule out potential legal changes to better safeguard against hate crimes and has been in discussions with Israel's Ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, about safety concerns. The president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, expressed the community's deep sadness over the incidents but reiterated that they "will not be cowed" by acts of hatred.
Firefighters were called to extinguish the car blaze around 01:00 local time (14:00 GMT) in Woollahra, a suburb located in the eastern region of Sydney. The police confirmed that antisemitic graffiti was found at two properties, indicating a targeted attack aimed at the Jewish community. In light of these repeated incidents, which have included earlier vandalism in Woollahra, a special task force was created by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to address rising antisemitism in the country.
In response to the troubling events, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated that the latest acts of vandalism appeared specifically designed to "intimidate the Jewish community in Sydney." Minns did not rule out potential legal changes to better safeguard against hate crimes and has been in discussions with Israel's Ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, about safety concerns. The president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, expressed the community's deep sadness over the incidents but reiterated that they "will not be cowed" by acts of hatred.
