A man has been dramatically arrested by counter-terrorism officers following an alleged arson attack on a Sydney synagogue.
In the early hours of January 11, up to ten red swastikas were spray-painted on the front walls of the Newtown Synagogue, on Georgina Street, in Sydney's inner west.
Police previously released CCTV footage of two hooded men seen outside the synagogue at around 4.25am and allegedly trying to set the synagogue on fire.
Officers attacked a 33-year-old man after executing two search warrants in Camperdown on Tuesday evening.
The heavily armed officers entered the property on Pyrmont Bridge Road using a battering ram and were assisted by the counter-terrorism squad.
The man was taken to hospital under police guard but was later released and charged with property damage offences, possession of suspected stolen goods and cultivating an illegal plant.
He was refused bail and will appear in court on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old was the ninth person arrested in connection with the attack on the synagogue earlier this month.
A 33-year-old Camperdown man (centre) has been dramatically arrested by counter-terrorism officers following an alleged arson at a Sydney synagogue
About ten red swastikas were spray-painted on the front walls of the Newtown Synagogue (pictured) on Georgina Street, in Sydney's inner west
NSW Premier Chris Minns condemned the Newtown incident just hours after the vandalism was discovered.
“These people are determined to divide our community in two. We will always continue to call these acts for what they are: monstrous and abhorrent,” Mr Minns said.
The Prime Minister also announced the extension of a one-off $340,000 grant for enhanced temporary safety measures for the Jewish community in NSW.
Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Dr. Dvir Abramovich, told Daily Mail Australia the graffiti on the Newtown Synagogue was a “gut punch” for Jewish Australians.
Dr. Abramovich described the vandalism as “grotesque.”
“Within a few days, two synagogues – holy places meant for reflection and peace – have been defiled by acts of unparalleled malice, he said.
“These are not merely incidents of vandalism; they are calculated attacks steeped in symbolism, intended to intimidate and sow terror.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the incident and called for those who committed the act to “face the full force of the law.”
The man was taken to hospital under police guard but was later released and charged with property damage offences, possession of suspected stolen goods and cultivating an illegal plant.
The 33-year-old was the ninth person arrested in connection with the attack on the synagogue earlier this month
“The despicable graffiti we have seen overnight, including at the Newtown Synagogue, is abhorrent and must stop immediately,” Albanese wrote.
“We have made it illegal to use Nazi and other hate symbols because there is no place for anti-Semitism in Australia.”
About 100,000 Jewish people live in Australia, with large congregations in Melbourne and Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Anyone with information about the incident at Newtown Synagogue is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
