A second man has been arrested by counter-terrorism officers following an alleged attack on a synagogue in Sydney.
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.
A 37-year-old man was arrested at a hotel on Pyrmont Bidge Road on Thursday.
He was tasered during the operation and then assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Day Street police station.
This follows the arrest of a 33-year-old man in connection with the incident after officers executed 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.
About ten red swastikas were spray-painted on the front walls of the Newtown Synagogue (pictured) 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.
He was refused bail and will appear in court on Wednesday.
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.”
A 33-year-old Camperdown man (centre) was arrested by counter-terrorism officers on Tuesday following an alleged arson at a Sydney synagogue
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 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.”
A total of nine people have been charged in connection with various incidents of arson and vandalism targeting the Jewish community.
Four men aged 31, 37, 40 and 26 have been charged in connection with fires at two businesses in Bondi in October 2024.
Three men aged 20, 19 and 21 have been charged following the alleged malicious damage to ten vehicles and buildings in Woollahra in November 2024.
A 34-year-old woman has been charged after vehicles and buildings were allegedly damaged in Woollahra in December 2024.
A 33-year-old man was recently charged in connection with the alleged graffiti and attempted arson of a building in Newtown.
Anyone with information about the incident at Newtown Synagogue is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
