Jewish Australians have experienced a mix of bewilderment and relief at police declaring organised crime – and not antisemitism – is to blame for the Dural explosives caravan and some other incidents targeting their community.

While most community groups praised the seriousness of the police and political response, the conservative Australian Jewish Association and the progressive Jewish Council of Australia broke ranks to criticise the NSW government for a “kneejerk” legislative response to graffiti and arson incidents.