Newtown synagogue: Alleged anti-Semitic attacker, Adam Moule, faces court after NSW police manhunt

A day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns stood in the charred remains of a Sydney childcare centre, a man has faced court charged with setting a synagogue on fire and spraying anti-Semitic slogans on it’s walls.

NSW police swooped on a residence in Camperdown on Tuesday night and arrested 33-year-old Adam Moule, who has since been refused bail before appearing at the Downing Centre Local Court to face multiple charges.

Police alleged that Mr Moule tried to set fire to the Newtown synagogue in Georgina Street earlier this month, and also covered the building with anti-Semitic slogans.

Detectives attached to Strike Force Pearl arrested Mr Moule after heavily armed riot squad officers raided two addresses on Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown on Tuesday evening.

The arrest is a signal of the NSW Government’s intent to stamp out the rapidly rising level of incidents against the Sydney Jewish community, as Premier Chris Minns vowed to go after the “bastards” committing these offences.

Mr Minns rejected suggestions his Government had lost control of the anti-Semitism crisis on Tuesday, and kept the door open to reforming the State’s hate crime legislation as NSW Police announced they would expand their resourcing and add more detectives to chase down the “violent criminals” who have unleashed hate on Sydney.

“It is completely disgusting, and these bastards will be rounded up by NSW Police,” Mr Minns said.

“The rise in anti-Semitic attacks in New South Wales is a major concern for the State — the primary concern for New South Wales. I want to make sure that the public are aware that the full resources will be deployed.”

Despite members of the Jewish community and the Coalition describing the latest attacks as “domestic terrorism”, NSW Police at this stage have not yet made such a determination.

“What I want to make clear is that police will not hesitate to make that designation if they believe it’s appropriate to conduct the investigation,” Mr Minns said.

Mr Moule was initially taken to St Vincent’s Hospital under police guard, but on release was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with destroying property in company using fire, destroy/damage property in company, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, and cultivate prohibited plant.

Strike Force Pearl detectives were assisted by officers attached to the terrorism investigation squad, security investigation unit, public order and riot squad, along with officers from Inner west police area command and Leichhardt police area command.

A total of nine people have now been charged under strike force pearl:

• Four men – aged 31, 27, 40 and 26 – have been charged following fires at two businesses in Bondi in October 2024
• Three men – aged 20,19 and 21 – have been charged after 10 vehicles and buildings were allegedly deliberately damaged in Woollahra in November 2024
• A woman – aged 34 – has been charged after vehicles and buildings were allegedly deliberately damaged in Woollahra in December 2024
• A 33-year-old man has now been charged after a building in Newtown was allegedly graffitied and attempted to be set alight.

Inquiries continue. Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.