Anti-Semitic Attack Targets Sydney Property Formerly Owned by Jewish Leader

A home in Sydney previously owned by a senior Jewish community leader was vandalized on Friday morning and two cars were set on fire, with one spray painted with an antisemitic slur, Australian authorities said.

Third Incident in Two Months

The attack, the third targeting the Jewish community in Sydney in two months, happened on a property once owned by Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, New South Wales premier Chris Minns said.

Horrifying Anti-Semitic Attacks

“These are horrifying anti-Semitic attacks … it is truly disgusting,” Minns said during a media conference.

“While police can’t categorically at this early stage of the investigation say that the attack and the residence are linked, clearly it would be a massive coincidence if they were not linked,” he added.

Spray Painted with Red Paint

Police said the house in the Dover Heights suburb was spray painted in red. There are no reports of injury.

Rise in Antisemitic Incidents in Australia

Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since Israel retaliated against an attack by militant Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, with an assault on Gaza that has left tens of thousands of people dead.

A car was set alight and two properties spray painted with anti-Israel messages in Sydney last month, just days after an arson attack at a synagogue in Melbourne which is being investigated as terrorism.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

The latest attack comes two days after Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. However, an Israeli minister has said he would quit the government if the deal is approved.

Israel has delayed cabinet meetings to ratify the ceasefire, and media reports said voting could occur on Friday or Saturday, although the deal is expected to be approved.

Conclusion

The recent spate of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia is a concerning trend that demands attention and action from authorities. It is crucial that perpetrators of such attacks are brought to justice and that efforts are made to promote understanding and tolerance among different communities.

FAQs

Q: How many anti-Semitic attacks have taken place in Sydney in the past two months?

A: Three attacks have been reported in Sydney in the past two months.

Q: Who owns the property where the latest attack took place?

A: The property was previously owned by Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

Q: What was the reaction of New South Wales premier Chris Minns to the attack?

A: Minns described the attacks as “horrifying” and “truly disgusting”, and said it would be a “massive coincidence” if the attack was not linked to the residence.

Q: What has caused the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Australia?

A: The rise in anti-Semitic incidents is believed to be linked to the conflict in Gaza and the resulting tensions between different communities.