Western Sydney man charged with threats to kill Jewish leaders

A western Sydney man could face up to a decade in prison after federal police charged him with threatening to kill Jewish community leaders, marking the first charges laid by a Commonwealth law enforcement operation to clamp down on antisemitism.

Police raided the 44-year-old man’s house in Blacktown on Thursday and obtained documents and electronic devices, according to a statement from the Australian Federal Police.

Authorities will allege the man, who was granted bail and will appear in court on February 26, used a social media account to post threats to kill members of a Jewish association on that group’s social media page. The alleged offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal.Credit: Kate Geraghty

State and federal police have been under pressure from Jewish groups and political leaders to enforce existing laws to counter threats and intimidation towards the Jewish community which have increased during the conflict in Gaza.

Following the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne in December, the Albanese government announced Operation Avalite to probe anti-Jewish attacks after the Coalition criticised Labor’s management of domestic antisemitism.

AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt said the 21 federal police officers in the Avalite team were targeting “high-harm, recidivist antisemites”.

“A number of individuals are under investigation and the community should expect further charges,” he said in a statement.

“Special Operation Avalite is committed to keeping Australians safe and protecting our way of life. Antisemites should be on notice. If you engage in antisemitic conduct, you will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal this week told The Australian that police were not being tough enough on antisemitic attacks following the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne, for which no charges have yet been laid, the vandalism and arson attempt at a Newtown synagogue, and repeat vandalism of property in Jewish areas of Sydney. There is no suggestion the 44-year-old was involved in those incidents.

Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network head Nasser Mashni on Tuesday said politicians and media outlets gave more attention to antisemitic attacks, which he said were rightfully condemned, than similar racist graffiti and abuse directed at Muslims and Palestinian supporters in Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday held a meeting with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and NSW acting premier Penny Sharpe to discuss the repeated antisemitic incidents in those states.

“There is no place for antisemitism in Australia. It is abhorrent,” Albanese said on Monday. “The acts that we saw with the swastikas put [on a Sydney synagogue] are shocking. That’s not what we’re about as a multicultural, tolerant nation that has respect for people of different faiths. It’s a crime and the people responsible for that crime should face the full force of the law.”

In a speech on Sunday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said: “Every incident of antisemitism can be traced back to the prime minister’s dereliction of leadership in response to the sordid events on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.”

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