Australia is experiencing an alarming surge in antisemitic attacks, with authorities investigating potential links to paid criminals behind some of the incidents. The rise in hate crimes has sparked widespread anxiety within the Jewish community, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, as Jewish institutions face arson, vandalism, and targeted violence.

The Devastating Arson Attack on a Jewish Café

One of the most distressing incidents occurred in late October when arsonists set fire to the Continental Kitchen, a beloved kosher café in Sydney, owned by restaurateur Judith Lewis. The attack, which destroyed the café, also damaged a mezuzah – a sacred symbol of Jewish faith – that had hung at the family-owned establishment for decades. While the mezuzah was destroyed in the blaze, Lewis has bought new ones but remains hesitant to put them up in her new café location.

“I’ve got them sitting on my desk, and I’m a little bit hesitant to put them up… something’s holding me back at the moment,” Lewis shared.

Escalating Antisemitic Incidents Across Australia

The arson at Lewis’ café is part of a larger pattern of antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish Australians, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. The attacks have included swastikas painted on buildings and cars, as well as arson at synagogues. Authorities have received over 166 reports of such incidents since mid-December, prompting the creation of Special Operation Avalite to address the rising hate crimes.

A total of 15 serious allegations are currently under investigation. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has confirmed that authorities are exploring the possibility that these attacks may be connected to paid criminals, with a focus on potential overseas actors who may have financed the attacks.

Criminals or Overseas Actors Behind the Attacks?

Police investigations have uncovered text messages suggesting that some suspects were paid to carry out these acts. In one case, text exchanges between two men who pleaded guilty to a recent arson attack revealed a third person involved, using the encrypted app Signal under the alias “Jamesbond.” The suspects seemed to have been directed to specific targets, though one later indicated confusion about the location.

The men, some of whom have links to Sydney’s eastern suburbs, have been charged under Strike Force Pearl, a task force set up to investigate these crimes. Some of the suspects claim they were coerced into committing the attacks due to financial debts or threats of violence.

While it remains unclear where the payments are coming from, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that authorities are looking into the involvement of international actors, though he did not provide further details.

Government Response and Political Tensions

Jewish leaders have expressed frustration over what they see as a slow response from government officials, particularly as the attacks have gained a political dimension. Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton criticized the government for its reaction to a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney following the Gaza war, which he believes contributed to rising antisemitism.

However, Albanese has defended his administration’s response, urging the need to unite the country and avoid exploiting the situation for political gain. He emphasized that law enforcement has already taken steps, including arrests, to address the issue.

In a joint statement, multi-faith and human rights organizations called for a collective effort to combat racism and hate crimes, urging political leaders not to politicize these tragedies.

Rising Security Measures and Community Support

In response to the wave of attacks, security has been increased around Jewish sites in Sydney, including synagogues, schools, and businesses. Premier Chris Minns condemned the violence, calling it “completely disgusting” and vowing that those responsible would be apprehended. However, some Jewish groups argue that more proactive measures are needed to address the root causes of rising hate.

Max Kaiser, the executive officer of Jewish Council Australia, stressed that policing alone won’t solve the broader issue of racism in Australia. He called for greater education and community efforts to foster unity across different faiths.

For Judith Lewis, the impact of the attack on her family’s café extends beyond the destruction of property. While grateful for the support from suppliers and community members who rallied to help reopen her business, she remains deeply disturbed by the attacks.

“They destroyed our thriving business of 55 years,” Lewis said. “But the support from the community has been fantastic. People wanted to help from the moment the fire happened.”

Looking Ahead: A Need for Change

As investigations continue and arrests are made, the Jewish community in Australia remains on edge. The broader issue of rising hate and racism, however, requires long-term efforts to address the underlying causes and foster a more inclusive society. Authorities are focused on both short-term actions to stop these crimes and long-term strategies to prevent such hate from spreading further.

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Nearly an hour after his son shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery, Greg McMichael reached out for help to his former boss, Jackie Johnson, the district attorney of Glynn County, Georgia.

“My son and I have been involved in a shooting, and I need some advice right away,” McMichael said, leaving a voicemail on Johnson’s phone.

The killing of Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, led to national outrage after a video showing the tragic event surfaced online. McMichael, his son Travis McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan—three white men—used trucks and guns in a violent chase before the shooting. They are now serving life sentences for murder and federal hate crimes. However, it wasn’t until more than two months after the incident that they were arrested.

Now, nearly five years later, Johnson, who was serving as the local prosecutor at the time, is facing charges of misconduct. She’s accused of using her office to interfere with the investigation into Arbery’s death. Jury selection for her trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Brunswick, Georgia.

Key Details About the Case:

How Was Ahmaud Arbery Killed?

Arbery, an avid runner, was often seen jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Glynn County. On February 23, 2020, as Arbery ran past the McMichaels’ property, the father and son grabbed guns and gave chase in their pickup trucks. Bryan, in a separate truck, filmed the incident.

The footage showed Travis McMichael shooting Arbery at point-blank range as they struggled over his shotgun. Arbery was unarmed and had no stolen property on him. Despite this, local police initially let the men go, with Greg McMichael claiming they suspected Arbery was a thief.

Two months later, Bryan’s video was leaked, igniting outrage. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case, and arrests quickly followed for the McMichaels and Bryan.

Who Is Jackie Johnson and Why Was She Charged?

At the time of Arbery’s death, Jackie Johnson had served as the district attorney for southeast Georgia’s Brunswick Judicial Circuit for ten years. Greg McMichael had worked in her office before retiring.

After the shooting, Johnson claimed she recused herself from the case due to her connection with Greg McMichael. Another prosecutor, George Barnhill, was appointed to take over. However, Barnhill quickly ruled that the McMichaels acted lawfully in attempting to detain Arbery, and that the shooting was justified.

In May 2020, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launched an investigation into Johnson and Barnhill. Carr revealed that Barnhill had been recommended by Johnson and failed to disclose that he had advised police the shooting wasn’t a crime.

In November 2020, Johnson was ousted from office. By 2021, she was indicted on charges of violating her oath of office and hindering the investigation.

What Are the Charges Against Jackie Johnson?

Johnson faces felony charges for using her office to show “favor and affection” to Greg McMichael. She is also charged with a misdemeanor for hindering police by advising that Travis McMichael should not be arrested.

Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, claiming she didn’t direct police not to arrest anyone. Her defense attorney, Brian Steel, stated in a pretrial hearing that Johnson was focused on an unrelated case and wasn’t aware of the details of the Arbery case.

Court records reveal that Johnson and Greg McMichael had at least 16 phone calls in the weeks after the shooting.

Jury Selection Process

Jury selection for Johnson’s trial is set to begin Tuesday in Glynn County. To ensure an impartial jury, 500 local residents were summoned—far more than usual. Prospective jurors will be questioned about their prior knowledge of the case, with the selection process expected to take a week or more.

Why Did It Take So Long for Johnson’s Trial to Begin?

The delay in Johnson’s trial, which took over three years, was largely due to her defense attorney’s commitments. Brian Steel spent nearly two years defending rapper Young Thug in a high-profile racketeering case, causing a delay in Johnson’s court proceedings. After Young Thug entered a plea deal in late October 2023, Johnson’s trial was scheduled for January 2025.

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