Third man charged over antisemitic attack on former home of Jewish leader
A third man has been charged over a deliberate antisemitic attack in Sydney’s east that targeted the former home of Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), amid a documented rise in hate-motivated incidents across the country.
At around 3:45am on 17 January 2025, police were called to Military Road in Dover Heights following reports of antisemitic graffiti, paint damage, and arson. Two vehicles were defaced with antisemitic slogans and also set alight, with fire spreading to a third vehicle. Paint was thrown on two houses and an additional car. One of the homes targeted had previously been occupied by Ryvchin, although he and his family had moved before the incident.
Car firebombing in Dover Heights in January, 2025
A man aged 25 was arrested at a residence in Umina Beach on Monday 5 May 2025 and charged at Gosford Police Station with participating in a criminal group and destroying property using fire with damage exceeding $5,000. Police allege that while he was not present at the scene, he assisted in planning the crime. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on 29 May 2025.
Two other men have already been charged in relation to the same incident. One is a 28-year-old from Bondi who was arrested in January, and the other is a 23-year-old from Sydney’s Inner West who was taken into custody in February. Both are alleged to have been directly involved in carrying out the attack and are currently before the courts.
This case is being investigated by Strike Force Pearl, a taskforce established by NSW Police to examine the incident in Dover Heights. Authorities have confirmed the investigation is ongoing and have not ruled out further arrests.
The attack took place during a broader period of concern for Australia’s Jewish community. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s 2024 Antisemitism Report documented a 316 per cent increase in reported antisemitic incidents, rising from 495 incidents in the previous year to 2,062 incidents between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024. The rise included cases of vandalism, harassment, abuse, and threats, particularly in the context of international conflicts involving Israel.
NSW Police have emphasised the importance of reporting hate crimes and stated that all such incidents are taken seriously. The public is encouraged to contact the police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Triple Zero (000) if they witness or experience hate-motivated acts.
