Antisemitic attacks in Australia during war in Gaza

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SYDNEY - Australia has experienced a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars since the beginning of Israels war in Gaza in October 2023.

From then to October 2024, there were more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents in the country, according to the latest figures from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australias Jews.

The Australian government in August said at least two incidents in Sydney and Melbourne in late 2024 were directed by the Iranian government. Australia said it would expel the Iranian ambassador in response.

Here are some key events:

May 25, 2024: Australia’s largest Jewish school graffitied in Melbourne.

Oct 13: Antisemitic graffiti on Jewish bakery in Sydney, with note left for owner reading be careful.

Oct 17: Front door of Bondi brewery Curly Lewis Brewing Company in Sydney torched.

Oct 20: Neighbouring Bondi Kosher deli Lewis Continental Kitchen set alight.

A taskforce investigating antisemitic attacks charges a former biker gang member in March over allegedly directing two men to torch Curly Lewis Brewing Company and Lewis Continental Kitchen in order to distract police resources. He denied the charges and was released on bail.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later says information from the national intelligence agency showed the Iranian government was behind the arson attack on Lewis Continental Kitchen.

Nov 21: Cars torched, buildings vandalised in Sydneys east, an area with a large Jewish population.

Dec 6: Adass Israel Synagogue torched in Melbournes south, treated by police as a suspected terror attack. The Victorian state counter-terrorism taskforce in August 2025 charges two men over the attack. Days later, Albanese announces the incident was also directed by the Iranian government.

Dec 7: Israeli