Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned a series of anti-Semitic incidents that occurred as Jewish communities marked the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, calling the vandalism “abhorrent” and vowing that those responsible would face the full force of the law.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel urged Australia to “get your country in order” after pro-Hamas graffiti appeared in Melbourne’s Fitzroy and two men were arrested in Sydney for allegedly pointing a gun at a synagogue from a moving truck.
In a statement to Parliament, Albanese said his government “will always stand against anti-Semitism” and reaffirmed support for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return of hostages and a two-state solution.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley accused the government of allowing “hate to take root” and called for the implementation of recommendations made by the anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal.
The incidents coincided with a pro-Palestine rally in Bankstown attended by about 200 people, where some participants displayed extremist slogans.
Organisers of another planned protest at the Sydney Opera House said they would proceed regardless of a pending court ruling.
Source: The Australian.
