A 21-year-old man in Sydney has been charged with intimidation after allegedly making threatening gestures outside a synagogue on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre. The incident, which took place near the Cremorne Synagogue, involved the man appearing to point a firearm from a moving vehicle. However, police later confirmed there was no evidence of an actual weapon being involved, reports The Jerusalem Post.
According to New South Wales Police, the gesture occurred on Tuesday while the man was travelling in a truck. Both he and the 23-year-old driver were arrested shortly after the incident. The passenger was released pending further enquiries, while the driver, aged 21, was formally charged on Wednesday.
Michele Goldman, CEO of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, expressed concern over the incident, despite reports indicating that no weapon was ultimately found. “No one should be the target of threats and intimidation simply for practicing their faith,” she said. “We are grateful to NSW Police for their swift response and continued efforts to keep our community safe.”
Robert Gregory, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, also commended the police’s rapid action but highlighted the broader implications of the event. He argued that the timing of the incident—during the Jewish festival of Sukkot and on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre—underscored a worsening climate of antisemitism in Australia. “Many Australian Jews now feel under siege,” said Gregory. “Stronger action is needed to confront rising antisemitism and ensure the safety of the Jewish community.”
NSW Member of Parliament Tim James also condemned the incident. “Antisemitism is a scourge that has no place in our community or our society. It must be condemned utterly and without qualification,” he said. Referring to the October 7 massacre, he added: “It is a date that remains etched in the minds of the Jewish community and all those who stand against terror. Every person, of every faith and background, has the right to feel safe.”
The case adds to growing concern among Australian Jewish leaders and communities about escalating antisemitic incidents in the country, particularly during times of heightened global tension.
Photo credit: AAP/Reuters
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