A caravan containing explosives and antisemitic messages was discovered on January 19, 2025, on a property near Dural, northwestern Sydney, sending shockwaves through the local Jewish community. The distressing find followed several incidents of antisemitic graffiti and arson targeting Jewish sites across the region.
The Daily Telegraph first reported on Wednesday, January 28, the alarming details of the situation, including the tantalizing discovery made by a resident who reported the abandoned caravan to New South Wales (NSW) Police. Alongside the explosives, authorities found notes outlining potential targets, including local synagogues, which featured aggressive wording such as “f**k the Jews.”
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson confirmed the investigation's severity, highlighting the collaboration with other agencies, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Crime Commission, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). “This is certainly an escalation of the type of antisemitic attacks we have seen recently, with the use of explosives representing a significant threat,” Hudson stated during the emergency press conference.
NSW Premier Chris Minns termed the caravan's discovery and its potential use for violence as “a potential mass casualty event,” directly labeling the actions as terrorism. He expressed sincere concern over the continued threats to the Jewish community and outlined the police's unwavering commitment to confronting this danger: “Anyone attempting terrorism, violence, hatred, or intimidation will face the full force of the law.”
Hudson reiterated the urgent need to address community fears, detailing the mobilization of over 100 police officers as part of a dedicated counter-terrorism operation. He mentioned previous arrests related to the investigation, stating, “We have made arrests on the periphery of this job... but we are still searching for other perpetrators involved.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack vehemently, commenting, “Hate and extremism have no place in Australian society,” and emphasizing the full might of law enforcement being utilized to investigate these serious threats against the Jewish population.
Community leaders, like Julian Leeser, the Jewish member for Berowra, echoed the alarm, saying he was “deeply disturbed” by the details of the foiled attack. He expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their rapid action, stressing the need for solidarity among Australians to combat rising antisemitism.
David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, characterized the events as indicative of “a campaign of domestic terrorism aimed squarely at the Jewish community.” He called for continued vigilance and cooperation with authorities to keep community members safe.
Alon Cassuto, the CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia, called the incident “undoubtedly the most severe threat to the Jewish community in Australia in living memory,” warning of the potential catastrophic outcomes had this attack not been intercepted. He lamented the recent patterns of violent incitement and underscored the need for societal change to curtail such extremist behaviors.
The Community Security Group (CSG) of NSW underscored their collaboration with police and asked community members to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information. Their statement read, “While we work to obtain information, we ask the community to remain calm, not to engage conspiracies, and to seek verified updates.”
This recent discovery of explosives underlines the growing concerns over antisemitic conduct across Australia. Many have expressed fears of how quickly ideologies of hatred can escalate, particularly with the potential for actions undermining social cohesion and peace within Australia.
Authorities remain alert, maintaining their commitment to monitoring such threats. They urge anyone with information related to the caravan's location or subsequent activities between December 7, 2024, and January 19, 2025, to come forward. The police's resolve is unwavering as they work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.
While the immediate threat appears contained, the community reflects on the recent string of attacks, standing together against the rising tide of hate and committing to ensuring safety for all residents.
More updates are expected as the investigation develops and authorities pursue leads concerning the caravan and its potential operators.