’Hunting you’: Chris Minns issues warning after ‘horrific’ anti-Israel attacks

NSW Premier Chris Minns has issued a chilling warning after cars were vandalised in a spate of “hateful, violent acts” in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Emergency services responded after a car was set on fire on Wellington St in Woollahra shortly after midnight on Thursday. While Fire and Rescue NSW was able to extinguish the fire, police found up to a dozen cars graffitied with anti-Israel messages. Cars were covered in white spray paint that read “f**k Israel”, while at least three premises were also targeted. NSW Premier Chris Minns called the actions “horrific” and assured the community police and the government will continue to crackdown on anti-Semitic behaviour while speaking at a press conference on Friday. “I know that members of the Jewish community, since the horrifying terrorist attacks on October the seventh, have felt unsafe in their own town, and I’m deeply sorry for that,” Mr Minns said. He said the “violent criminal acts” are being taken very seriously, emphasising these actions will not be tolerated in Sydney in 2024. “(The actions) are motivated by hate,” Mr Minns said. “They are hateful acts on members of our community, and this police force is working incredibly hard to track down those who’ve committed this horrifying act. “The full force of the law will be applied against them … no one should feel intimidated or harassed in their own place, in their own in their own town, in their own home. “Your hateful, violent acts will not be tolerated in Sydney, and the police are hunting you right now.” Mr Minns said the vast majority of people in the state would also condemn the actions. “I want to make it clear that to the Jewish community in Sydney that 99.99% of Australians that live in this state have wonderful regard, close relations (to the Jewish community), and feel horrified by the activities that we’ve seen in parts of the eastern suburbs over the last 24 hours,” he said. The cars had been parked along Wellington, Tara, Fullerton and Ocean streets. The door of a unit complex in Ocean St had also been graffitied, police said. The windows of Sydney’s famed Chiswick restaurant were also targeted in the attack, with the words “f**k Israel” scrawled across them. In addition to anti-Israel slogans, cars were graffitied with a message reading “PKK coming”. The meaning of the message is unknown but would appear to be a reference to the Kurdistan Workers Party, which is considered by Australia to be a terrorist organisation. Eastern Suburbs commander Detective Acting Superintendent Adam Solah previously said those messages would form part of the investigation. He also told the media two people were captured on CCTV fleeing the scene. They were described as wearing dark clothing, face masks and hooded tops, with one person wearing a Nike jumper. Superintendent Solah said the alleged offenders acted “under the cover of darkness without anyone being aware”, with several items seized from the site of the torched car. Witnesses have reportedly already come forward. Police have established crime scenes, and anyone who has knowledge of the incidents, or who was in the area at the time, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.