Australia’s Jewish community has woken to “scenes of terror and devastation”, a community leader has said, following another apparent antisemitic attack in Sydney’s east.
Overnight multiple properties at Woollahra were sprayed with anti-Israel slogans, while a Toyota Corolla was destroyed by fire.
Police said emergency services were called to Magney Street in the city’s east shortly after 1am.
The burned-out car, along with another car, two buildings, and the footpath along Magney Street were graffitied.
Images from the scene showed apparent anti-Israel graffiti.
Police wish to speak with two people believed to have been in the vicinity at the time.
They are described as being of slim build, between 15 to 20 years of age, and wearing face coverings and dark clothing.
Woollahra is home to many Jewish community members, though it’s unknown if this attack was targeted at any specific residents.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said it was “another act intended to terrorise us, drive us from our country and make our fellow Australians fearful of associating with us”.
“How long will this continue and with what horrors will it end? We ask that you stand with us. March with us. Don’t let this evil tear our country to pieces,” he said.
“We expect the new AFP taskforce to bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident was an “outrage”.
“I will be briefed by AFP Operation Avalite officials this morning. I stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemn this attack,” he said.
“There is no place for hatred or antisemitism in our community.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns called the images from the scene “shocking”.
“Shocking images of this anti-semetic (sic) attack in Woollahra this morning,” he said in a post on X.
”This is not the Sydney we want. These racist attempts to divide our city won’t work.
“I’ll be speaking to police this morning. They will be found and they will face the full force of the law.”
In a separate incident on November 21, another car was set alight and multiple buildings and cars hit with antisemitic graffiti along several streets in the same suburb.
Charges have been laid over that incident and remain before the courts.
The incident overnight comes amid heightened tensions for the Jewish community in Australia, after the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne’s south-east was gutted by fire in an incident later declared a “likely terrorist attack”.
Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
