Cars torched, properties vandalized in Sydney anti-Semitic attack
Sydney, Australia – Cars were set on fire and properties vandalized in an anti-Semitic attack in the Sydney suburb of Bondi Beach on Sunday.
A group of about 100 people, some of whom were masked, gathered at the Bondi Beach Lifeguard Pavilion and began yelling anti-Semitic slogans, reports said. The group then moved on to nearby properties, setting fire to a car and vandalizing buildings with anti-Semitic graffiti.
Police were called to the scene and attempted to disperse the crowd, but the situation escalated with officers using pepper spray to subdue the protesters.
Two people were arrested and taken into custody, and several others were injured in the scuffle. No one was seriously hurt.
The motivations behind the attack are not yet clear, but local authorities have condemned the incident as “abhorrent” and “anti-Semitic.”
“This kind of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our community,” said a local police spokesperson.
The incident has sparked concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia, which has been growing in recent years.
The attack also comes amid a surge in anti-Semitic incidents worldwide, with many experts attributing the rise to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising political tensions.
Local leaders have called for calm and have urged residents to report any further incidents to the authorities.
“This is a serious incident and we will not tolerate any form of hatred or discrimination in our community,” said a local mayor.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community in Sydney, with many expressing outrage and disbelief at the attack.
“We are appalled and outraged by this senseless and cowardly attack,” said a local Jewish leader. “We will not let this incident go unanswered.”
The incident is still under investigation, and authorities are working to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.