Woman to face court over Woollahra antisemitism attack

January 20, 2025 by Rob Klein
Read on for article

A western Sydney woman has been arrested and charged over an antisemitic firebombing and vandalism attack in Woollahra last month.

AAP reports she was charged with participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity, accessory before the fact to destroy or damage property and being a passenger in a known stolen car.

The 34-year-old woman will face court tomorrow after being charged over her alleged involvement in the malicious damage of vehicles and buildings. Emergency services responded to reports of a vehicle on fire on Magney Street, Woollahra, around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Fire & Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. The burnt-out car, a second vehicle, and two buildings—along with the footpath along Magney Street—had been graffitied with antisemitic slogans, including the misspelled phrases “Kill Israiel.” Police estimate the total damage to be approximately $20,000.

AAP reports that the firebombed car is believed to be stolen and that the perpetrators drove to the scene.

Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command established a crime scene and launched an investigation under Strike Force Holony, with assistance from Strike Force Pearl. This is a specialized team focused on addressing recent antisemitic crimes across Sydney.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested the woman at a home in Liverpool at 8:30 a.m. today, Monday, January 20, 2025. She was taken to Liverpool Police Station and formally charged with participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, accessory before the fact to property damage, and being carried in a conveyance taken without the owner’s consent. The woman was refused bail and is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Local Court tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

The arrest comes amid a worrying increase in antisemitic attacks across Australia. The incident in Woollahra is one of several recent attacks targeting Jewish communities, including the firebombing of Adass synagogue in Melbourne and an attempted arson and graffiti attack on Newtown Synagogue. Just days ago, the former home of Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin was also targeted, with cars doused in petrol and defaced with antisemitic slurs.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has reaffirmed the force’s commitment to tackling the growing threat, stating that a team of 20 detectives is working to investigate these incidents and hold those responsible accountable. She warned that perpetrators will be caught and face the full force of the law, emphasizing, “We have very strong leads of inquiry on most of these matters, and we will find the perpetrators.” This latest arrest marks the seventh person charged under Strike Force Pearl, a broader operation aimed at combating antisemitic crimes across Sydney.

At the time, NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned the Woollahra attack as a deliberate act of intimidation against the Jewish community and called for decisive action. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also denounced the incident, pledging federal resources to combat the rise in antisemitism, and urging unity against hate-fuelled crimes. Authorities are continuing their investigation and urging anyone with information to come forward.

AAP contributed to this story

Speak Your Mind

Comments received without a full name will not be considered
Email addresses are NEVER published! All comments are moderated. J-Wire will publish considered comments by people who provide a real name and email address. Comments that are abusive, rude, defamatory or which contain offensive language will not be published

Got something to say about this?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from J-Wire

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading