Anti-Semitic Graffiti Sparks Outrage in Sydney

AUAustralia|

Australian authorities have condemned a series of anti-Semitic graffiti incidents in Sydney, which occurred early Saturday morning. Vandals spray painted red swastikas outside the entrance of an inner-city synagogue and also defaced a house in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs with anti-Jewish slurs. These acts follow a previous incident where swastikas were painted on another synagogue earlier in the week.

State Premier Chris Minns described the vandalism as "monstrous" and reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating hate crimes, stating, "These people are determined to divide our community in two."

The rise in anti-Semitic incidents comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Australia due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has led to protests and a divisive atmosphere among supporters of Israel and Palestine. In December, a Melbourne synagogue was targeted by masked arsonists, prompting the establishment of a federal task force to address anti-Semitism in the country.

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