Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have set up a special operation to investigate antisemitism in response to three recent incidents targeting members of the Jewish community.
It comes after attacks at a Melbourne synagogue, vandalism at Labor MP Josh Burns’ office, and a car set alight in Sydney.
AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw said hate crimes need to stop, and the AFP would be taking a “greater role” in addressing antisemitism.
“Special Operation Avalite will be an agile and experienced squad of counter-terrorism investigators who will focus on threats, violence, and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians,” he said.
“In essence, they will be a flying squad to deploy nationally to incidents.”
He said the AFP would not tolerate “crimes that undermine Australia’s security or our way of life.”
Melbourne synagogue arson attack declared terrorist incident
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have declared Friday’s arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue a terrorist incident.
Two of the Adass Israel Synagogue’s three buildings were gutted when it was firebombed, and two congregants who were inside at the time were evacuated. One suffered minor injuries.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said the attack was initially not considered to have reached the threshold to be declared a terrorism incident.
He said the investigation continued throughout the weekend, and after collecting more evidence and intelligence, a joint management committee had determined it was “likely a terrorist incident”.
AFP deputy commissioner for national security, Krissy Barrett, confirmed it is now being treated as a terrorist incident, describing it as a “politically motivated attack”.
“This is now a terrorism investigation led by the Victorian Joint Counter-terrorism Team, which includes Victoria Police, the AFP, and ASIO,” she said.
“Joint counter-terrorism teams include the best terrorism investigators in the country, and a JCTT investigation unlocks more power, more capability, and more intelligence.”
The declaration opens up a raft of extra powers for investigators including the ability to stop, search and seize people without a warrant as well as detain and question those they believe have knowledge of, or links to, the attack.
The fire that gutted the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in Melbourne on Friday has left Australia’s Jewish community in shock. Source: AAP / Michael Currie / SOPA Images / Sipa USA
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said her thoughts were with the Jewish community throughout the ongoing investigation.
“This has been an awful, evil, antisemitic, and now we know, confirmed as a terrorist attack,” she said.
“We must remember and continue to hold the community, who is grieving, who suffering, in our hearts and give them all of our support.”
Patton said police are looking for three suspects involved in the attack.
The synagogue remains closed to the public.
