Australia’s anti-Semitic crisis: Timeline lays bare catalogue of shocking attacks since October 7, 2023

Ever since Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1195 people, incidents of anti-Semitism have been rising in Australia — and growing more brazen.

Synagogues firebombed, homes graffitied, neo-nazis marching in our capital cities and now a caravan laden with explosives — potentially destined to cause a mass casualty event at a Jewish target.

Scores of people have been arrested but the acts of anti-Semitism are escalating. To the point that Israel’s foreign minister has demanded the Albanese Government do “more to stop this disease” of anti-Semitism that has been spreading “almost unchecked”.

Here, we detail the disturbing catalogue of hate crimes that have gripped Australia and sparked deep concern among the Jewish community who fear for their safety.

Timeline of hate

January 29, 2025: Home next to gate of Mount Sinai School in Maroubra sprayed anti-Semitic graffiti.

January 29 ,2025: Police investigation into caravan laden with explosives revealed for first time.

January 26, 2025: Australia Day: Survival Day rallies infiltrated by neo-nazis

January 21, 2025: Only About Children childcare centre in Maroubra, NSW graffitied with anti-Semitic slogans and set alight shortly before 1am.

January 19, 2025: Caravan laden with explosives found in NSW

January 17, 2025: Former home of Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin in Dover Heights vandalised, two cars were firebombed, including one with anti-Semitic graffiti and two others were damaged.

January 11, 2025: Fence outside a synagogue in Newtown in Sydney’s inner west painted with swastikas, and the building was the target of unsuccessful arson. Meanwhile a home in Queens Park also targeted with sickening graffiti.

January 10, 2025: Allawah Synagogue in Sydney’s south graffitied with swastikas.

January 6, 2025: Car in Queens Park in Sydney’s east, spray painted with anti-Semitic slogans.

January 5, 2025: Man charged after allegedly threatening worshippers at the Chabad North Shore synagogue in St Ives.

December 12, 2024: Electronic sign featuring offensive racial vilification displayed in Morningside, Queensland.

December 11, 2024: Car set on fire and fences of two homes, a footpath and another car graffitied with anti-Semitic slogans in Magney Street, Woollahra, NSW, an area with a large Jewish population.

December 6, 2024: Adass Israel Synagogue is firebombed in Melbourne’s south, treated by police as a suspected terror attack.

November 21, 2024: One car torched, others sprayed with anti-Israel graffiti and buildings vandalised on Wellington Street, Woollahra, NSW. The windows of celebrity chef Matt Moran’s restaurant, Chiswick, were also defaced. The restaurant — described as chic modern Australian — is co-owned by prominent Jewish businessman Bruce Solomon. The doors of a nearby unit complex were also sprayed with slogans.

October 20, 2024: Fire destroys Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, Kosher cafe on Curlewis Streed, Bondi.

October 17, 2024: Curly Lewis Brewing Company in Bondi set alight. Police say they believe it was a case of mistaken identity.

October 13, 2024: Antisemitic graffiti on Jewish bakery in Sydney, with note left for owner reading “be careful”.

October 12, 2024: Veteran Victorian police officer interviewed and released without charge over allegations she twice performed nazi salute.

October 6, 2024: Prominent Sydney restaurateur Alan Yazbek charged for displaying nazi symbol during pro-Palestinian protest. He eventually pleaded guilty in court.

August, 2024: A group of 40 neo-nazi’s march through Brisbane CBD chanting racist slurs.

June 19, 2024: Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns’ St Kilda office vandalised and graffitied with anti-Semitic slogans.

May 25, 2024: Australia’s largest Jewish school graffitied in Melbourne.

January 25, 2024: Christopher Carrig and Taylor Bayly vandalise Macquarie University with nazi swastikas and slogans. They were later convicted and forced to reimburse the university.

November 16, 2023: Mailboxes in Clayton, Melbourne spray painted anti-Semitic graffiti.

October 23, 2023: Man shouted anti-Semitic obscenities at Camp Cove Beach and when confronted threatened to rape and murder a Jewish man’s family.

October 20, 2023: Public toilets inside Mill Park Library on Plenty Road in Victoria graffitied with antisemitic slurs.

October 13, 2023: Three men charged (and later found guilty) of performing a nazi salute outside the Sydney Jewish Museum.

October 9, 2023: Protesters chant anti-Semitic slogans outside the Sydney Opera House.