Sydney Synagogue Vandalized: Police Hunt for Suspects

Over the weekend, a synagogue in Sydney's Newtown suburb was targeted by vandals. The New South Wales Police Force is searching for two individuals who sprayed graffiti on the synagogue's fence and building. This incident occurred around 4:25 a. m. local time on Saturday. The suspects were also believed to have attempted to set the building on fire. Fortunately, the synagogue's security measures prevented any significant damage. The Newtown Synagogue released a statement expressing frustration and sadness over the incident. They described the vandals as cowards and reaffirmed their commitment to being a positive influence in the community. Police have shared CCTV images of the two suspects. One was riding a black-and-white mountain bike, while the other was on a black motorized scooter. In addition to this incident, police are investigating two other related graffiti cases. A house in the Jewish community and several parked cars were vandalized. Another incident involved offensive comments spray-painted on a poster. The day before, swastikas were found on the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Allawah. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attacks, stating that there is no place for such activity in Australia. NSW Premier Chris Minns also vowed to use police resources to prevent further hate crimes. These incidents follow a surge in anti-Semitic acts across Australia, coinciding with the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Last month, a Jewish suburb in Sydney was vandalized, and a car was set on fire. Days prior, a synagogue in Melbourne was destroyed by arson. According to a report by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, anti-Jewish incidents have increased by 316% over the past year.