Police are investigating a potential anti-Semitic attack following a firebombing that destroyed a daycare center in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services were called to a childcare centre on Storey Street, Maroubra, at about 1.00am following reports of a fire.
The arsonists set fire to the childcare centre, Only About Children, and spray-painted an anti-Semitic slur on its exterior wall.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze a short time later, however the fire had already significantly damaged the property.
Police believe the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity, as there is a synagogue with an associated school located on Anzac Parade about 150meters from the targeted centre.
Police believe the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity, as a childcare centre is a synagogue with an associated school located approximately 150meters from the targeted centre.
The childcare centre that was attacked is not Jewish, suggesting the arsonist may have intended to target the synagogue instead.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as an ‘evil hate crime’.
‘My government will support NSW Police to hunt down the offenders and ensure they face the full force of the law through Operation Avalite,’ Mr Albanese said.
It is the latest suspected anti-Semitic attack to hit Sydney in recent days, and comes just days after the former home of outspoken Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin was targeted.
Multiple cars parked on Military Road in Dover Heights were spray painted with anti-Semitic slogans, and two were set alight set alight at about 4am on Friday.
The former family home of Mr Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of n Jewry, was also splashed with red paint.
Mr Ryvchin slammed the latest attack and called for the government to hold an emergency cabinet meeting.
‘To plan and execute the firebombing of a childcare centre requires a depth of savagery that is difficult to imagine,’ Mr Ryvchin wrote on X.
‘Families will be having conversations about whether it’s safe to send their children to the places where they should be safest.
‘Places of worship, homes and now pre-schools have all been targeted by domestic terrorists.
‘Antisemitism consumes everything. It is the disease that is destroying our country. We need national cabinet to deal with what is a national emergency.’
Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission – ’s leading civil rights organisation fighting antisemitism – Dr Dvir Abramovich said the recent attack sent ‘shivers down the spine of every n’.
‘It is a chilling reminder that antisemitism knows no boundaries, that it will go to the darkest depths—even to a place meant for toddlers—to make its mark,’ Dr Abramovich said.
‘Whoever committed this heinous act chose to weaponise fear against the most vulnerable among us.
‘We must redouble our efforts to educate, to legislate, and to fight with everything we have against the forces of hate.’
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced his plan for tougher laws to combat anti-Semitism at Bondi Central Synagogue on Monday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also asked activists for calm during a six-week ceasefire in Gaza.
Terrorism offences would attract a minimum of six years in jail under the coalition’s proposed laws, while those displaying terrorist organisation signs, Nazi symbols or performing a Nazi salute would face at least a year behind bars.
However, legal experts cast doubt on a federal coalition plan to set minimum jail terms for terrorism offences and displaying hate symbols.
n Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns said there was no evidence mandatory sentences deterred offenders.
‘Furthermore, mandatory jail terms lead to injustice,’ Mr Barns said.
‘They force courts to impose sentences where the circumstances do not warrant it because of the nature of offending, or the background of the offender.’
Last Monday, a wall near Sydenham Train Station in the city’s inner-west was spray-painted with the words ‘gas the Jews’.
Swastikas were also daubed on the nearby Newtown Synagogue before masked vandals attempted to burn it down.
Earlier this month, the Southern Sydney Synagogue in the suburb of Allawah was also targeted by anti-Semitic vandals who daubed a number of large red Swastikas at the entrance to the place of worship.
Graffiti including ‘Kill Israiel’ (sic) was sprayed on buildings and footpaths in Woollahra, a Sydney suburb known for its Jewish community, in the early hours of December 11.
Police established a crime scene at the childcare centre and have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arson attack.
Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.