The alarming rise of antisemitism in Sydney has taken center stage recently, as police investigate multiple incidents, including the discovery of explosives deliberately linked to Jewish targets. Authorities have been spurred to action following reports of graffiti and other hateful acts directed at the Jewish community, raising significant concerns among residents and leaders alike.
On January 30, 2025, graffiti reading "f**k the Jews" was discovered on residential property adjacent to Mount Sinai College, a Jewish primary school, as well as at the nearby Westfield Eastgardens shopping center. This incident was part of broader antisemitic vandalism reported throughout Sydney, with Eastern Beaches and South Sydney Police Area Commands actively investigating these hate crimes—prompted by community outrage and fear.
According to reports from NewsWire, the latest graffiti attacks coincided with police revelations of a caravan filled with explosives discovered at Dural, on the outskirts of Sydney. This caravan was believed to contain Powergel explosives, used commonly for mining operations, and included materials linked to potential antisemitic attacks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded swiftly, condemning these incidents, stating, "Hate and extremism have no place in Australian society." He assured the public of the government’s efforts, declaring the "full might" of Australia’s security forces—including the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)—was involved as part of the Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigating these threats.
Reportedly, the explosives found were capable of causing significant blasts. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb highlighted concerns about the explosives' origins, with speculation pointing toward theft from mining operations. Webb noted, "If it's Powergel, it could have been old stock and, if it has been obtained illegally, then I would say it's been obtained 10 years ago"—emphasizing the investigations will focus on identifying how such dangerous materials could have been acquired.
Community leaders expressed palpable fear following these revelations. Ofir Birenbaum, who lives nearby, recounted the confusion of school children confronted by the hateful graffiti: “I see today kids walking up from the school, asking their teacher, ‘why do they hate Jews?’” This echoes widespread sentiments within the Jewish community, which is increasingly angered and alarmed by the spate of hate directed at them.
Peter Wertheim of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry stated, "The feeling in the Jewish community are, not only one of understandable concern and anxiety... but increasingly one of anger.” His remarks point to growing frustrations over authorities’ inability to curtail what many see as the mainstreaming of antisemitism and hate speech.
This volatile climate has led schools, including Mount Sinai College, to adopt stringent security measures to protect students and staff. Mayor Dylan Parker confirmed increased security consulting for the school to bolster the safety of the community amid rising fears—the atmosphere burdened by the series of incidents only intensified as students returned to classes.
Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson voiced her concerns about the situation, calling on the government to provide immediate counseling support for those affected. She accused the Albanese government of failing to address these rising incidents of antisemitism adequately.
Webb reassured the community, stating there was "no immediate threat" tied to the caravan's explosives as they had been secured by law enforcement. Nevertheless, there remains considerable speculation surrounding the incidents with some speculating possible ties to organized crime, which Webb confirmed was one of many avenues being pursued by investigators.
Calls for unity and condemnation of antisemitism have echoed throughout various levels of government and community organizations. Anne Aly, the federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, expressed solidarity, stating the Jewish community had every right to feel fearful, but reinforced their right to safety and security as citizens of Australia.
The increase of antisemitic incidents has prompted New South Wales’ Premier Chris Minns to categorize these crimes with utmost seriousness, echoing sentiments shared over the importance of countering hate speech laws amid discussions of future legal policies to tackle these issues head-on.
Reflecting on the need for community vigilance, Commissioner Webb articulated the importance of combating hate at its roots. “We all need to come together and work to stamp this out,” she urged, emphasizing the significance of fostering communal strength to tackle such polarization.
With investigations still underway, various community leaders continue to call for action, asserting the necessity for societal changes to combat hate ideologies flourishing within specific sectors of Australian culture. Wertheim elaborated, “We need more action, we need firmer action, but above all, we need a change of attitude within the institutions of our society.”
Overall, the scene remains tense as authorities, community leaders, and the public grapple with the distressing reality of rising hate, which highlights the urgent need for combined efforts against antisemitism and radical sentiments growing within any strata of society.