- Australian police probe overseas funding of antisemitic crimes
- Recent incidents include the arson of a childcare centre in Sydney
- Perpetrators might be paid individuals with no personal ideological motivation
Australian police probe overseas funding of antisemitic crimes
Australia’s federal police are investigating whether international actors are funding local criminals to commit antisemitic crimes. Recent incidents include the arson of a childcare centre in Sydney, which was also vandalised with anti-Jewish graffiti.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a snap cabinet meeting in response, leading to the creation of a national database to track antisemitic incidents. A federal police taskforce, established in December, has received over 166 reports of such crimes.
Albanese suggested some perpetrators might be paid individuals with no personal ideological motivation. Police are exploring whether cryptocurrencies were used to fund these activities and whether young offenders have been radicalised online. Investigations remain ongoing.