Leaders of Australia's Jewish community are reporting an alarming development: Members of their community are increasingly removing visible symbols of their Jewish identity, including yarmulkes and mezuzahs, amid growing security concerns – a decision prompted by the federal police's discovery of a van loaded with explosives allegedly intended for detonation near a synagogue in the nation's largest metropolitan area., according to Reuters.
"As antisemitic attacks continue to rise, people are beginning to question the viability of Jewish life in Australia," said Alex Ryvchin, chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
The community's anxiety intensified this week following police intervention in what they described as a planned mass attack in Sydney. Security forces reportedly discovered a van containing explosives capable of creating a blast radius of 131 feet. Concurrent with this discovery, antisemitic graffiti was found defacing the walls of Mount Sinai College in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs – marking one of ten similar incidents that have occurred in the city over recent months.
"For the first time in my life, I feel let down by Australia," said Gina Farrer, whose child attends Mount Sinai College, which has resumed operations under heightened security measures including both police presence and private security personnel.
Security firms are reporting an unprecedented surge in requests from Jewish community members. "There's been a marked increase in security concerns, with people seeking protection for their events to minimize potential risks," said Steven Vogel, who founded Sayeret Security.
Law enforcement has strengthened its presence in predominantly Jewish areas, while Jewish educational institutions began their academic year under intensified security protocols. Israel's diplomatic mission in Australia has voiced serious concern regarding the deteriorating situation, calling on local authorities to implement substantial measures for protecting the country's Jewish population.
