’Don’t need special powers’: Terrorist squad already assisting with anti-Semitic attacks

Special terror resources are being used in investigating anti-Semitic attacks across Sydney, a senior cop has explained.

Anti-semitic attacks across Sydney may not have been classified as terrorism offences, but that does not mean special terror resources are not being used in their manhunts, a senior cop has explained.

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna is the man in charge of Operation Shelter, set up in the wake of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks in 2023, which now has more than 100 police at its disposal working to find those responsible and to keep the community safe.

So far a total of 179 people have been arrested, including three in just the last week.

But with incidents like Friday morning’s firebombing in Dover Heights and last week’s graffiti attack in Queens Park continuing to occur, many have begun to call for police to use enhanced powers under the Counter Terrorism Act.

Asst Comm McKenna said the special expertise and powers of the state’s counter terrorism investigators were being used everyday, with detectives embedded within Operation Shelter.

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb addresses a press conference after an anti-Semitic act of malicious damage in Dover Heights. Picture: NewsWire/John Appleyard

“There’s a specific criteria for the Commissioner to consider if something should be defined as terrorism, and we haven’t crossed the threshold at this point in time,” he told The Saturday Telegraph.

“The face of the matter is we don’t need the special powers that come with that at this point in time, because Operation Shelter is already led by our counter terrorism command.”

A car destroyed in an anti-Semitic firebombing in Dover Heights.

Friday’s incident at Dover Heights saw the former home of Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin targeted.

Asst Comm McKenna said “there is no putting lipstick” on the fact that most of the recent attacks have occurred in Sydney’s east, home to a large population of the city’s Jewish community.

“To date we could say that the evidence has been more targeting of areas than individuals,” he said.

“Certainly, because of Mr Ryvchin’s status in the community, we have to investigate whether it was a targeting of him, however if it was, it was fairly poor because he hasn’t lived at that home for a number of years.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin after visiting his former family home in Dover Heights which was the target of an anti-Semitic attack. Picture: NewsWire/John Appleyard

“Right now, there is no putting lipstick on it, we have got a situation where a community and its members are being targeted.

“Does that mean we don’t police other areas across the state? Of course not ... anyone who calls for our assistance, regardless of their background, race or anything else, we will attend and conduct appropriate investigations, and treat them all absolutely the same.”

Graffiti attacks, including “f**k the Jews” being spray painted on cars in Queens Park last week, and synagogues being similarly targeted, have increasingly occurred since late last year.

Asst Comm McKenna said he believes such attacks are a mix of organised criminals and “copycat” or attention-seeking offenders.

The experienced investigator said he believes that whenever an incident occurs, there are people within the community who know about it, and called on them to come forward with information.

“There is no doubt some of these more significant crimes are being committed by the criminal element in our communities,” he said.

“Other crimes may well be people who are ignorant or copycats, you can even see some kids have become involved by the way they’ve drawn slogans and other things.

“Police can’t resolve these matters on our own. We do need the community to step forward and assist us where they can, especially where we put out photographs of suspects.

“Someone has to know these people and who is behind this, and committing these offences, and we urge them to come forward.”

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