Australian police have raised concerns over a potential deadly escalation in a campaign of antisemitic arson and graffiti crimes following the discovery of explosives in Sydney's outskirts. The explosives, believed to be intended for use in attacks on Jewish targets, were found in a trailer in the outer suburb of Dural on Jan. 19.
The cache of Powergel, an explosive commonly used in the mining industry, was accompanied by a list of Jewish targets. Authorities have expressed alarm at the discovery, noting that there was enough explosive material to create a bomb with a blast radius of 40 meters.
Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson described the find as a significant escalation in a series of antisemitic crimes that have plagued major cities like Sydney in recent months. These crimes have included arson attacks on businesses and cars, as well as graffiti on buildings.
While several suspects have been arrested in connection with the crimes, authorities have refrained from disclosing the specific Jewish targets identified on the list. However, they have assured that the Jewish community will be informed of the potential threats.
The surge in targeted arson and graffiti attacks in cities like Sydney and Melbourne has been linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. These attacks have disproportionately affected Australia's Jewish population, with Sydney and Melbourne being home to the majority of Jewish residents in the country.
Notably, a worshipper sustained burn injuries in a fire set at a Melbourne synagogue in December, marking the only human casualty thus far. The incident is currently under investigation by a joint counterterrorism team comprising federal and state law enforcement authorities.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has emphasized the seriousness of the explosives discovery, characterizing it as a potential mass casualty event. He underscored the need for a robust counterterrorism response to address the threat posed by such acts of terrorism, particularly in relation to the Jewish community.
