Australia has witnessed a disturbing surge in antisemitic attacks since the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza in October 2023, with incidents ranging from graffiti and vandalism to arson, threats, and deadly violence.
Jewish schools, synagogues, businesses, and residential areas—particularly in Sydney and Melbourne—have repeatedly been targeted, prompting the launch of special police taskforces and heightened national security concerns.
Below is a timeline of key incidents that have shaped Australia’s response to the escalating threat.
Key Antisemitic Incidents in Australia: A Chronology
2023
October 13, 2023
Antisemitic graffiti is found on a Jewish bakery in Sydney. A note left for the owner reads, “Be careful.”
October 17, 2023
The front door of Curly Lewis Brewing Company, a Bondi-based brewery, is set on fire.
October 20, 2023
A neighbouring kosher deli, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, is torched in a suspected arson attack.
Later investigations led to a former biker gang member being charged in March for allegedly directing the attacks to divert police resources. He denied the charges and was released on bail.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later stated that intelligence agencies had linked the arson attack on the kosher deli to the Iranian government.
November 21, 2023
Cars are torched and buildings vandalised in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, an area with a significant Jewish population.
December 6, 2023
The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s south is set ablaze in what police treat as a suspected terror attack.
In August 2025, Victoria’s counter-terrorism taskforce charged two men over the incident. Days later, Albanese confirmed the attack was also directed by the Iranian government.
December 7, 2023
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims antisemitic attacks in Australia are linked to the government’s stance on Palestine at the United Nations.
December 9, 2023
The Federal Police Task Force on Antisemitism is officially launched.
December 11, 2023
More vehicles are torched and buildings vandalised in Sydney’s east.
2024
May 25, 2024
Australia’s largest Jewish school is graffitied in Melbourne.
July 4, 2024
Around 20 worshippers attending a Sabbath dinner at the East Melbourne Synagogue flee after a fire breaks out, which police describe as arson.
A man is arrested and charged as authorities investigate a possible link to a disturbance at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne the same night.
December 14, 2024
At least 12 people are killed and a dozen injured when two gunmen open fire on the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, marking one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in Australia’s history.
2025
January 7, 2025
A man is charged after allegedly threatening worshippers near the Chabad North Shore synagogue in Sydney.
January 10, 2025
The Allawah Synagogue in Sydney’s south is defaced with swastikas.
January 11, 2025
Graffiti and an attempted arson attack target the Newtown Synagogue.
NSW Premier Chris Minns describes it as a serious escalation in antisemitic crime. Cars and a house are also vandalised in Sydney’s west.
January 16, 2025
The federal antisemitism task force makes its first arrest, charging a Sydney man over alleged death threats and vandalism.
January 17, 2025
Cars are torched and a building formerly owned by a Jewish community leader is vandalised in Sydney’s east.
January 19, 2025
Premier Minns announces new laws to strengthen hate speech protections and ban protests outside places of worship.
January 21, 2025
A childcare centre in Sydney’s east is set alight and graffitied. Police charge a woman over the December 11 attack.
Prime Minister Albanese announces a national cabinet meeting in response to the growing crisis.
January 29, 2025
NSW police discover a caravan filled with explosives in Sydney’s northwest. Authorities later reveal it was a fake terror plot orchestrated by an organised crime network to divert police resources.
February 12, 2025
Two nurses at a Sydney hospital are suspended after allegedly threatening to kill Jewish patients and refusing treatment in a TikTok video, prompting a police investigation.
Rising Security and Political Fallout
The growing number of incidents has intensified debate over foreign interference, domestic extremism, and the safety of Jewish communities in Australia. Federal and state governments have since ramped up surveillance, strengthened hate crime laws, and increased police presence around Jewish institutions.