Police charge second man for alleged anti-Israel vandalism attack in Woollahra

Police have charged a second man for allegedly torching a car and tagging nine others with “f..k Israel” graffiti in a prominent Jewish suburb in Sydney.

Vision of the man's arrest earlier on Thursday in Arncliffe, south Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

NSW Police have charged a second man for allegedly torching a car and tagging nine others with “f..k Israel” graffiti in a prominent Jewish suburb in Sydney, as well as on apartment buildings and Matt Moran’s Chiswick restaurant.

The accused, 19-year-old Arncliffe man Thomas Stojanovski, briefly appeared at court on Thursday.

It comes after police charged another man, 20-year-old Mohommed Farhat, on Monday for his alleged involvement.

Like Farhat, NSW Police have charged Stojanovski with 21 offences pertaining to the alleged anti-Israel vandalism attack in Woollahra on November 21.

Stojanovski’s matter was stood over at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday and he will return to the same court on Friday. He remains in police custody.

In a statement at 3:30pm, NSW Police said that as part of Strike Force Mylor the 19-year-old man was arrested at his Arncliffe home on Thursday morning before being charged at Kogarah police station, both in the city’s inner south.

The 21 charges include 14 counts of damaging property, and one count each of destroying a car by fire, behaving in an offensive manner, and disguising their identity to commit an offence.

A building in Woollahra vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti on November 21. Picture: Liam Mendes

The Australian revealed, on November 21, footage of two hooded men allegedly caught on CCTV walking on the street on the night of the vandalism attack, and how the area’s Jewish community were “sad and disappointed but not surprised” by the alleged attack amid rising anti-Semitism across Australia.

On Monday, after Farhat’s own arrest, The Australian reported that he was intercepted and arrested at Sydney International Airport, understood to be bound for a flight to Bali.

Not including the alleged torched car, nine other vehicles parked along Wellington, Tara, Fullerton and Ocean streets were also allegedly graffitied, some spray-painted with the words “f..k Israel”, with the total estimated value in excess of $70,000.

Three buildings on Ocean St and Fullerton St, and Mr Moran’s restaurant Chiswick, were also allegedly graffitied, costing an estimated $20,000 to $30,000.

Farhat did not apply for bail at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, and his barrister Evan James asked for the matter to be adjourned for two weeks “to make an appropriate, comprehensive (release) application on next occasion”.

He had three young supporters sitting inside the courtroom.

Stojanovski will return to court on Friday for mention.