A childcare centre in Sydney’s east has been set alight and an antisemitic message has been left on its walls in an attack Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called an “evil hate crime”.
Police are investigating after the centre was set alight and graffitied just after 1am.
Fire crews were called to the centre on Storey Street in Maroubra to find the ground floor well involved in fire, along with “offensive graffiti” spray painted on an outside wall, according to police.
Police said the building was significantly damaged and confirmed the centre was unoccupied at the time.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Albanese has since condemned the incident.
“My government will support NSW Police to hunt down the offenders and ensure they face the full force of the law through Operation Avalite,” he said.
The home in Dover Heights used to belong to Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and a prominent figure in the Jewish community.
Multiple cars were sprayed with graffiti, two set on fire and a home, formerly owned by a prominent figure in the Jewish community, splashed with red paint.
Ryvchin is a prominent figure in Australia’s Jewish community and has been a vocal figurehead for peace in Sydney since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 7, 2023.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report.
