Incidents of anti-Semitism reported to police more than triple in 12 months

Premier Chris Minns has warned Sydney to expect more anti-Semitic attacks in the lead-up to Christmas, as he apologised to the Jewish community for not feeling safe in their own town.

Premier Chris Minns says he is concerned there may be further anti-Semitic attacks against Sydney’s Jewish community in the lead-up to Christmas, with statistics revealing a three-fold increase over the course of a year.

A total of 425 anti-Semitic incidents were reported to NSW Police in the 12 months to July, more than three times the amount of the year before, according to statistics revealed in parliament.

During a meeting with Jewish leaders at the Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra on Friday, Mr Minns said he was “deeply sorry” to members of the Jewish community who felt “unsafe”, and expressed fears there may be more anti-Semitic incidents before Christmas.

“It is a concern,” he said. “I don’t want to sugar coat it, but we (will) have a big police response.

“We have strong rules and laws in place in relation to hate speech in NSW, (and) it’s not going to be tolerated.”

Premier Chris Minns visits the Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra after anti-Israel graffiti was sprayed across buildings and cars in recent days. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The comments follow an anti-Semitic vandalism spree in Sydney’s east on Wednesday night. A vehicle was destroyed by fire, and nine cars and three buildings were spray-painted with graffiti including the phrases “f--- Israel” and “PKK coming”.

Cars were vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti in Woollahra on Wednesday night. Picture: Tim Hunter

Mr Minns said the “horrific” arson and vandalism attack “will not be tolerated” in Sydney, warning those responsible that police are on the hunt.

“I know that members of the Jewish community since the horrifying terrorist attacks on October 7th have felt unsafe in their own town, and I’m deeply sorry for that,” he said, adding that police and the government would “throw the book” at the perpetrators.

“We are taking these violent criminal acts very seriously.

“They are motivated by hate, they are hateful acts on members of our community, and this police force is working incredibly hard to track down those who have committed this horrifying act.”

Mr Minns apologised to Sydney’s Jewish community who have not felt safe in their own town. Picture: Jeremy Piper

In the 2021-2022 financial year, 92 anti-Semitic incidents were reported to NSW Police. That increased to 130 in 2022-23, before more than tripling to 425 in 2023-24.

The statistics from last financial year take in the 10 months immediately following the October 7 Hamas terror attack, including when thousands of protesters marched on Parliament House chanting anti-Semitic slogans.

Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said the number of incidents reported to NSW Police did not capture the true picture of hatred towards the Jewish community.

“These are disturbing statistics which evidence the sickening rise of anti-Semitism over the past year,” he said.

“The harassment, vilification and menacing of any one group is ultimately a threat to society as a whole as it undermines the cohesion and harmony we all treasure.”

Liberal MP Chris Rath, who obtained the figures from NSW Police, said the figures revealed the Hamas attacks “lit the flame” of anti-Semitism in NSW.

“From vandalising property and promoting terrorist symbols, to intimidating Jewish students and business owners, anti-Semitic acts are now daily occurrences,” he said.

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