In a troubling incident in Sydney's Woollahra suburb, vandals set a car on fire and sprayed anti-Israel graffiti, heightening concerns in Australia's largest Jewish community. This attack comes amid a rise in antisemitic crimes across the nation, prompting the establishment of a federal task force. Police are hunting for two young suspects, between 15 and 20 years old, observed wearing masks and dark attire at the scene.
An arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue last week marks an escalation in such incidents linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which ignited over a year ago. Authorities have classified that attack as a terrorist act, unlocking additional investigative resources. Special Operation Avalite has been launched to address antisemitic acts across the country, including the recent targeting of Melbourne lawmaker Josh Burns' office and another car in Woollahra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced the Woollahra attack as a hate crime, calling on Australians to reject antisemitism. "This isn't an attack on a government, this is an attack on people because they happen to be Jewish," he stated, emphasizing that such acts are contrary to Australian values. Critics, however, argue that Albanese's government has been hesitant to address the surge in antisemitism robustly, potentially emboldening offenders. Adding to concerns, the Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a travel warning for Jews in Australia, citing inadequate responses from authorities against ongoing harassment and violence. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
