Australian synagogue graffitied with swastikas, in latest antisemitic attack Down Under

Australian authorities denounce “hate-filled” vandals who daubed swastikas and other graffiti on a Sydney synagogue in the early hours of Friday, the latest in a series of attacks on Jewish places of worship.

The vandalism on the Southern Sydney Synagogue comes a little over a month after masked arsonists gutted a Melbourne synagogue, prompting the government to create a federal task force targeting antisemitism.

The Hamas-led terror onslaught in October 2023 and subsequent war in Gaza has sparked regular protests by supporters of Israel and Palestinians while feeding tensions between the two communities across Australia, as in much of the world.

The Sydney vandalism was “a hate-filled attack by individuals that have got hate in their hearts,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns tells journalists.

“I think the painting of a swastika on a Jewish building shows you everything you need to know about how appalling these particular individuals are and what their ultimate aim is.”

Police say they have increased the protection of synagogues around Sydney.

HURSTVILLE SYNAGOGUE IN SOUTHERN SYDNEY THIS MORNING

Anyone want to argue this is not ugly raw antisemitism?

ANOTHER synagogue attacked in Australia. This is a consequence of weak political leadership and lack of effective law enforcement.

President of the synagogue George… pic.twitter.com/51kP66l3Mu

— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) January 9, 2025

Investigators will review all CCTV in the area, says New South Wales police assistant commissioner Peter McKenna.

“It’s abhorrent. It’s not the Australian way, as I said, and people who do this sort of thing should realize that we will be out in force to look for them. We will catch them. We will prosecute them,” he tells reporters.