Multiple alleged anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney as state grapples rise in attacks on Jewish community
Two shocking new incidents have shaken the Jewish community of Sydney as Australia battles an alarming rise in anti-Semitism and alleged anti-Semitic incidents.
A man was arrested in a harbourside suburb of Balmain on Monday morning after police were alerted to a man allegedly performing an offensive gesture near a shopping centre.
Police arrived at a shopping centre near the intersection of Darling and Beattie Street, where they found a 54-year-old man who was allegedly performing a nazi salute.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The man was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station, charged with “knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse, make a gesture in a public place that is a Nazi salute, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, and behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school,” a police spokesperson said.
He was refused bail and is set to appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.
Later on Monday, police were alerted to graffiti in Sydenham in Sydney’s inner west that allegedly read “gas the Jews”.
“On Monday 13 January 2025, officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command commenced an investigation following reports a wall was graffitied with offensive symbols and phrases in Sydenham,” a police spokesperson said.
Police do not believe the incidents in Balmain and Sydenham are related.
They are just the latest in a wave of anti-Semitic hate crimes to hit Sydney, with a synagogue in the inner west and a home in the city’s east both targeted with sickening graffiti on the weekend.
Police were alerted to graffiti spray painted on a house on Henry Street, Queens Park about 6.30am on Saturday.
And about 7.30am, officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command were notified of graffiti spray painted on a synagogue on Georgina Street, Newtown.
A separate incident, where offensive comments written on a poster on Marrickville Road, Marrickville is also being investigated.
The Allaway Synagogue in the city’s south was daubed with at least a dozen swastikas in the early hours before being discovered on Friday morning.
NSW Police on Monday attempted to comfort the Jewish community as they deal with the onslaught of continuous attacks.
“The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through Triple Zero (000) in an emergency,” a spokesperson said.
