A police officer walks past a car that has been torched and is being removed in front of anti-Israel graffiti on a wall in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra. — AFP
Two suspects spray-painted anti-Israel graffiti and set a car on fire in a Sydney suburb on Wednesday, according to police, sparking outrage from the Australian government just days after a Melbourne synagogue was burned down. Authorities are searching for two males believed to be in their late teens who were wearing disguises and seen fleeing the scene in the early hours. The offenders burned the car they had been driving and spread graffiti over the burned car, another vehicle, two buildings, and a footpath, according to New South Wales state police.
Local media images showed the misspelled phrase "Kill Israiel" sprayed in black on a white wall in the eastern suburb of Woollahra, which has a long-established Jewish community. A contractor quickly painted over the graffiti. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident, calling it an outrage and another anti-Semitic attack. "I stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemn this attack. There is no place for hatred or anti-Semitism in our country," he said. Albanese also stated that he would be briefed by a federal police task force established this week to investigate anti-Semitic attacks.
The Australian leader had visited the charred remains of the Melbourne synagogue the day before, urging the country to unite against the "evil" arson attack. Counter-terror police are searching for three suspects believed to be responsible for setting fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Friday. The synagogue blaze drew international condemnation, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused the Australian government of harboring "anti-Israel sentiment."
The conflict in Gaza has fueled protests from both supporters of Israel and Palestinians in Australian cities, mirroring global demonstrations. A representative body for Australia's Jewish community said the Sydney graffiti and car burning were intended to "terrorise." "How long will this continue and with what horrors will it end?" asked Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. "We ask that you stand with us. March with us. Don't let this evil tear our country to pieces."
New South Wales state premier, Chris Minns, described the Sydney incident as "shocking." "This is not the Sydney we want. These racist attempts to divide our city will not work," he said. Minns assured that the perpetrators "will be found and they will face the full force of the law."
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