Australian police find explosives for possible antisemetic attack

Sydney police are investigating whether explosives found inside a motorhome were intended for an anti-Semitic attack. Police stated on Wednesday that the explosives had the potential to cause a 40-meter wide blast, resulting in "significant damage," but the threat has been contained.

Investigators stated that a note with anti-Semitic messages was discovered inside the motorhome. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described it as "the discovery of a potential mass casualty event." New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson stated at a press conference that the motorhome was discovered on January 19 in Dural, a suburb northwest of Sydney.

The investigation was made public on Wednesday after details were leaked to the media. Mr. Hudson stated that "there are indications that these explosives may have been used in some form of anti-Semitic attack," but he did not disclose any possible targets. He said that the police have "reduced the risk as much as possible," but emphasized, "I'm not saying the risk is eliminated, but that the risk has been reduced." He added, "That's also one of the reasons we're talking about this today, hoping that the public will be vigilant about the anti-Semitism that's emerging in the community."

An investigation involving the Australian Federal Police has been launched. Premier Chris Minns described the incident as "terrorism," stating, "This will create fear in the community, particularly the Jewish community, and the full resources of the government must be used to respond." He also confirmed that the incident has not yet been classified as a terrorist attack. This discovery comes after a series of anti-Semitic attacks in Australia in recent months.

Last December, the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne was set on fire, forcing worshippers to flee. Earlier this month, a childcare center in Sydney was set on fire and spray-painted with anti-Semitic graffiti.