Australian police are investigating whether overseas actors or individuals are funding criminals to carry out antisemitic crimes in the country. The federal police taskforce has received over 166 reports of such incidents, including vandalism, arson, and graffiti targeting Jewish communities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for a national database to track antisemitic incidents, while Commissioner Reece Kershaw warns that cryptocurrency may be involved due to its difficulty in tracking. The AFP is also investigating whether young people are radicalized online and carrying out these crimes.
Last week, a man from Sydney was charged with death threats against a Jewish organization, marking the first arrest made by the federal taskforce. Albanese described the latest incident at a childcare center in eastern Sydney as “cowardly” and a “hate crime.” The Jewish Council of Australia has strongly condemned the incidents, calling for cooperation, education, and community dialogue to combat prejudice.
New South Wales has set up its own state-level taskforce, resulting in 36 arrests so far, while Victoria has made 70 arrests for similar crimes. These incidents have primarily occurred in Sydney, with most involving antisemitic graffiti, arson, and vandalism of buildings, including synagogues.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8057j0mz5mo