MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities in Australia are probing the possibility that international entities are financing local criminals to carry out acts of antisemitic violence, as reported by police on Wednesday.
Reece Kershaw, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, met with the leaders of state police on Wednesday to evaluate a rise in antisemitic incidents linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas that erupted on October 7, 2023.
Kershaw informed the media in Canberra, “We have reasons to believe that some incidents may be orchestrated by hired criminals.”
The focus of the investigations includes identifying who might be financing these criminals, their locations—whether in Australia or abroad—and their underlying motivations. Kershaw, however, did not take any questions from the press.
In a briefing to government leaders on Tuesday, he disclosed that detectives were looking into 15 serious reported cases of antisemitic crime. “We are examining whether foreign individuals or groups might be compensating local criminals to engage in these offenses in our neighborhoods,” he stated.
The Commissioner also raised concerns regarding the potential use of cryptocurrency for payment, an aspect that might complicate the tracing of financial transactions. Additionally, law enforcement is investigating the involvement of youth in these antisemitic acts and whether they have been radicalized through online platforms.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during a press interaction on Wednesday, refrained from speculating about the financial backers behind these antisemitic crimes. He remarked, “It is crucial for the public to grasp where some of these attacks originate, and it seems that some may be conducted by individuals without specific ideologies, essentially as hired hands.”
The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday, where an arson and vandalism attack targeted a childcare facility located near a synagogue in Sydney. This is part of a troubling trend of targeted attacks in major Australian cities, including Sydney and Melbourne, which collectively house 85% of the nation’s Jewish demographic.
Various attacks have afflicted buildings, businesses, and vehicles. Notably, a fire set at a Melbourne synagogue in December left one person with burn injuries.
In response to the ongoing antisemitic aggression, New South Wales Police announced that they have doubled the workforce on Strike Force Pearl—from 20 to 40 detectives—to investigate these crimes more thoroughly.
Recently, authorities apprehended 33-year-old Adam Edward Moule, charging him with attempting to set fire to a Newtown synagogue in Sydney on January 11. The incident involved a liquid accelerant that ignited without causing substantial damage to the building, and red swastikas were defiantly painted on a wall.
Moule was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday facing multiple charges; however, the proceedings were postponed until Thursday to allow him time to consult with a lawyer. He remains in custody during this time.
Law enforcement anticipates apprehending Moule’s suspected accomplice in the near future.
