Australian Police Investigate Foreign Funding Behind Antisemitic Attacks

Authorities suspect overseas actors may be paying local criminals to commit a surge of antisemitic crimes in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australian Federal Police are probing whether foreign entities are financing antisemitic attacks through cryptocurrency payments to local criminals.
Recent incidents include attempted arson at Sydney's Newtown Synagogue, vandalism of Jewish sites, and a firebombing at a Melbourne synagogue that injured one person.
Strike Force Pearl has been expanded to 40 detectives, with nine arrests made so far in connection to antisemitic crimes in Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw emphasized that some perpetrators appear to be financially motivated rather than ideologically driven.
Proposed hate speech laws targeting violent threats against racial or religious groups are expected to be introduced in February to address rising antisemitism.