MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian detectives are currently investigating the possibility that foreign actors might be financing local criminals to carry out antisemitic attacks in the country. This inquiry follows a noticeable rise in antisemitic incidents since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw held a meeting on Wednesday with state police chiefs in Canberra to address this uptick in antisemitic crimes. Kershaw indicated that “criminals-for-hire may be behind some incidents,” which has prompted investigators to look into who might be financially supporting these criminals, whether those individuals are based in Australia or abroad, and what their underlying motivations may be.
In a briefing to federal and state government leaders on Tuesday, Kershaw revealed that police are currently pursuing 15 serious allegations of antisemitic offenses. He noted that part of their investigation will focus on the potential use of cryptocurrency as a possible payment method for these crimes, making it more challenging to trace the funds. Additionally, the police are examining whether younger individuals, who may have been radicalized online, are participating in these antisemitic acts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in on the situation, stating that it appeared some of the perpetrators may not hold any particular ideology and could simply be “paid actors” involved in the crimes. However, he refrained from elaborating on any specific individuals or organizations possibly behind the funding of these antisemitic crimes.
The recent arson and graffiti attack on a childcare center near a synagogue in Sydney highlights the alarming trend of targeted antisemitic acts occurring primarily in Australia’s largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, where approximately 85% of the country's Jewish population resides. These assaults have included attacks on buildings, businesses, and vehicles, with a notable incident in December involving a fire at a Melbourne synagogue, resulting in injuries to one individual.
In response to the escalating violence, the New South Wales Police have increased the number of detectives working on Strike Force Pearl, the dedicated investigation unit for antisemitic crimes, from 20 to 40. The officers recently made an arrest of a 33-year-old man on Tuesday night, charging him with attempting to set fire to a synagogue in Newtown, an inner-Sydney suburb, earlier this January. Fortunately, the building did not catch fire, but the man allegedly threw a liquid accelerant at it and painted red swastikas on its exterior wall. Authorities expect another arrest related to this incident soon.
The investigations into these antisemitic crimes underscore the seriousness of the situation and the potential involvement of both local and foreign influences in perpetuating hate-filled actions within Australia. As the scenario develops, heightened vigilance and proactive law enforcement efforts remain crucial to combating such divisive behaviors.
