Woollahra: Jewish leaders condemn ‘evil’ anti-Semitic graffiti and destruction in eastern Sydney

Festering anti-Semitism exploded in a brazen act of vandalism in a prominent Jewish area of Sydney last night.

Almost a dozen cars were vandalised, and one set alight, and properties sprayed with anti-Israel slogans in the leafy neighbourhood of Woollahra in Sydney’s inner east.

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.

Police and fire crews descended on Wellington Street in the leafy neighbourhood of Woollahra, home to a prominent Jewish community, about 1am on Thursday morning after receiving reports of a car fire.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze, but the car was destroyed.

Police later found 10 cars in nearby streets graffitied with anti-Israel messages in white and blue spray paint.

Slogans included “f... Israel” and “PKK coming”, a reference to a Kurdish separatist group that is designated as a terrorist organisation in Australia.

It is understood no one was injured in the spree, but locals were left shaken by the incident that sparked fierce condemnation from politicians and community leaders.

Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory told The Nightly it was time for authorities to listen to the community’s concerns about their safety.

He said while he was “disappointed” by the Woollahra vandalism, he was “not entirely surprised”.

“Labor has looked on as an increasingly violent anti-Israel movement has taken over Australian streets,” Mr Gregory said.

“The Jewish community has been begging authorities to take this seriously.

“There is no justification for targeting Jews and other Australians over a conflict on the other side of the world.”

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies described the vandalism as the latest act in a “campaign of intimidation and harassment targeted at the Jewish community” that cannot be tolerated.

“The Jewish community will not be intimated by such acts of criminality and anti-Semitism, their statement read.

“We will continue to stand with our fellow Australians to reject acts and words of division and hate which seek to disrupt the societal harmony we all treasure”.

But Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich went further, telling The Nightly the act was more than ugly vandalism: “It was evil.”

“This is a frontal assault on our values, on decency, and on the soul of our nation,” Dr Abramovich said.

He said the “cowardly, hate-fuelled crime” was a direct result of the explosion of anti-Semitism around Australia.

“Words of dehumanisation have real-world consequences, and this is proof of what happens when rhetoric becomes violence.”

Dr Abramovich called for Australians — Jewish and non — to stand tall in the face of the attack and “declare that hate will never win”.

“To those responsible, hear this: your hatred has no place here. You may think you can silence us with fire and venom, but you’ve only ignited our resolve,” he continued.

“The Jewish community has faced darkness before, and each time we have risen stronger. This time will be no different.

“Together, we will confront this evil and send a clear message: Australia will not be divided, and hate will never prevail.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hit out at the “deeply troubling” display on Thursday, saying there was “no place for anti-Semitism in Australia”.

“Conflict overseas cannot be made a platform for prejudice at home,” he said.

“I have trust in our law enforcement agencies to deal with this.”

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Swan said she was appalled by the “hateful criminal activity” that was “very distressing and worrying for our community”.

Federal Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender also condemned the “appalling” act.

“This sort of violence has no place in our country or our community. Antisemitism and racial hate has no place in our society,” she wrote on X.

Cabinet minister Tanya Plibersek, who holds the neighbouring Federal seat of Sydney, said the attack was “absolutely disgusting”.

“I don’t know what the perpetrators of these sorts of crimes think they are achieving, if anything, this reduces support and sympathy for their views,” she told Sky News.

“I’m so shocked and disappointed that people think that this is an appropriate response to what’s going on in the Middle East.”

NSW Member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloan said the “deeply troubling” act was an escalation of anti-Semitism in eastern suburbs since October 7 last year.

“These disgraceful attacks on the Jewish community must stop. Violence and intimidation have no place in our city,” Ms Sloan said.

“The eastern suburbs has endured ongoing acts of vandalism, hate and abuse since October 7. “

Ms Sloane said she had appealed directly to the NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley to “consider additional patrols and resourcing to ensure community safety”.

The Nightly has approached the minister for comment.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry found that in the two months after Hamas’ October 7 attack — which triggered the bloody Gaza war — there was a 738 per cent rise in anti-Semitic incidents compared to the same period the previous year.

That increase prompted the Albanese government to appoint the firstfirst-ever ever special envoy against anti-Semitism to tackle the scourge of anti-Jew discrimination.

Meanwhile, in June this year, Jewish leaders warned a Senate inquiry about rising expressions of hatred for Jewish people among different extremist groups — both neo-Nazi and pro-Islam.

The Federal Government is also working on new hate speech laws that will enforce criminal penalties for serious instances of vilification based on sexuality, gender, race and religion

Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command have established multiple crime scenes, which are under examination by forensic teams.

Two hooded men wearing dark clothing and face masks were captured on CCTV fleeing the scene. The investigation continues.

Anyone who has knowledge of the incidents, or who was in the area at the time, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Premier Chris Minns reiterated his Government’s commitment to “ensuring the safety and security of Jewish people” across the State.

“It is unacceptable, unAustralian, and it will not be tolerated,” Mr Minns said of the vandalism.

“The Jewish community is an integral part of the wider NSW community and we are completely committed to ensuring the safety and security of Jewish people in NSW.”