Maroubra childcare centre firebombed in latest antisemitic incident
A childcare centre in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has become the latest target in a series of antisemitic attacks, as authorities investigate the firebombing and defacing of the ‘Only About Children’ childcare facility in Maroubra.

(AAP Image/Supplied by Nine News)
The attack occurred around 1 am this morning, with police confirming that the centre’s exterior wall was set alight and spray-painted with an offensive, antisemitic slogan.
The incident, which took place on Storey Street, around 150m from Maroubra Synagogue on Anzac Parade, is the fourth major antisemitic act in Sydney’s east in the past three months. Police have established a crime scene and are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack. No injuries were reported, as the centre was unoccupied at the time.
Maroubra Synagogue issued a statement saying: “It happened just me from the show. As a community we will not be deterred by this act of violence and we will not be intimidated by those who are feeding off creating fear.”
Rabbi Zalman Goldstein from the Maroubra Synagogue said his community would hold a special service on Tuesday evening to greet the dark events with “light, peace and love”.
“I’m saddened this can happen in Maroubra, a very peaceful, very beautiful place where people move to with their young families,” he told AAP.
“But Jewish people are not scared, we are very resilient … we’ve been through things like this in much worse ways and we hope we can be a message for other minority groups to stay strong.”
Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns arrived at the scene of the attack at 8 am, with the Prime Minister saying he was there to see the damage for himself. “I’m here first hand to witness what is clearly a despicable crime, which is just abhorrent,” he told The Australian newspaper, adding he would have “more to say.” He further stated, “I’m here to show solidarity with the local community, and talk with them with Premier Minns.”
Mr Minns, who met with centre owner Anna Learmonth, described the incident as “heartbreaking.” “It’s terrible to see, we’re going to inspect it now and have more to say later,” he said.
David Ossip, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, condemned the attack, stating, “The antisemitic firebombing of a daycare centre in Maroubra overnight should outrage and disturb all Australians. This is yet another attack intended to harass, intimidate and menace the Jewish community. This isn’t just a string of antisemitic hate crimes – this is a campaign of domestic terrorism and needs to be treated as the crisis it is. By targeting a childcare centre, these depraved and cowardly terrorists are issuing another ominous threat against our community and every peace-loving Australian. These terrorists must be urgently apprehended, or we will continue to see an escalation of these acts of terror. No one should be hanging their hopes on events in the Middle East to fix the violence we are seeing on the streets of our city. This is pure, unadulterated domestic Jew-hatred and should be recognised as such. The Jewish community continues to stand strong in the face of these acts of terror.”

Anthony Albenese (2nd left) examines the scene
Photo: X
Anthony Albanese posted on X: “This was the scene of a hate crime. An act of vile, antisemitic violence. Every act of antisemitism is an affront to who we are as Australians. This was an attack targeted at the Jewish community. And it is a crime that concerns us all because it is also an attack on the nation and society we have built together. Child care centres are places of joy and discovery for children. They are a place parents trust to look after the most precious thing in their world – their children. The antisemitic attack here in Maroubra is as cowardly as it is disgusting. It is designed to add to the fear and pain the Jewish community are enduring right now. Yet this crime will strike at the heart of every parent, and all Australians. It is something all of us condemn, and all of us must work together to stop.”
President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Jeremy Leibler, commented: “The antisemitic attack on a childcare centre in Sydney is beyond horrifying. The fact that anyone would target a place where young children learn and play is a chilling escalation of the antisemitic hate we have seen growing in this country. This is not just graffiti. This is not just vandalism. This is a deliberate attempt to instil fear in a Jewish community that has already endured well over a year of intimidation and violence.
We have seen synagogues targeted, Jewish homes defaced, and now, a centre for children set on fire. These cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. This is a pattern. And unless our leaders act decisively, it will get worse.
Jewish Australians deserve to live, pray, and raise their children without fear. We call on authorities to treat this attack with the gravity it deserves and ensure that those responsible are held to account. No more excuses. No more downplaying. This is antisemitism, and it must be confronted head-on.”
The attack comes in the wake of another high-profile incident last Friday in Dover Heights, where the former residence of Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin was targeted. The house was vandalised with antisemitic slurs, and two vehicles parked outside were set alight and defaced. Ryvchin condemned the attack, warning that such actions demonstrate “the evil at work” in Australia and urging authorities to take stronger measures to combat the rising threat of antisemitism.
In response to these escalating incidents, NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced plans to introduce stronger penalties for hate crimes, including potential mandatory custodial sentences for those who attack religious institutions. “These vile attacks have no place in our society,” Minns said, adding that his government is working closely with law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable communities.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has also weighed in, unveiling a proposal for tougher federal laws to address hate crimes and terrorism. Speaking at Central Synagogue in Bondi yesterday, Dutton called for mandatory minimum sentences of six years for terrorism offences and at least one year for those displaying terrorist symbols, Nazi insignia, or performing Nazi salutes.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to curb the wave of antisemitic incidents. NSW Police’s Strike Force Pearl is currently investigating more than 100 reported cases of antisemitic crimes across the region. A recent breakthrough in the investigation led to the arrest of a 34-year-old woman from Liverpool yesterday in connection with an antisemitic attack in Woollahra, where cars were torched, and buildings were defaced with hate graffiti.
Prime Minister Albanese has called for calm amid rising tensions, particularly during the ongoing six-week ceasefire in Gaza, and has reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all Australians. He condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, stating, “Hate has no place in our communities, and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Authorities are appealing to the public for information that may help identify the perpetrators behind the Maroubra attack and other recent incidents. Increased police patrols and security measures have been introduced around Jewish institutions across Sydney to deter further attacks.
As investigations continue, the Jewish community remains resolute in its call for stronger legislative action and greater protection measures to combat the disturbing rise in hate crimes.
AAP with J-Wire
Australia’s participation with 69 other states at the third follow-up meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in Oslo on 15 January would not have helped quell concerns at the Australian Government’s lame response to the targeting of Jewish communal and private properties.
Amongst those attending were States that don’t recognise Israel: Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Djibouti, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Kuwait, Lebanon, Venezuela, Cuba, Libya, Oman
“A man is known by the company he keeps”. So is the Australian Government