Australian Authorities Counter Possible Antisemitic Attack

Australian authorities said they’ve countered a potential “mass casualty” attack with the discovery of a trailer packed with explosives in northwest Sydney, and “some indications” it was to be used against targets in the Jewish community following a spate of antisemitic incidents.

“This is the discovery of a potential mass casualty event,” New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns said Wednesday in a press briefing after details of the discovery were leaked to local media.

NSW Police discovered the trailer on a rural property in Dural on January 19, after being contacted about the vehicle, said the force’s Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson.

The trailer contained explosives potentially stolen from a mining site that could have caused a blast zone 40 meters (131 feet) in diameter, enough to cause “a significant amount of damage,” Hudson added.

There were “some indications” that the Jewish community was the intended target, Hudson said, without providing further details. Premier Minns confirmed on Thursday reports that a list of Jewish targets was found inside the trailer.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters Thursday that no detonator was found with the explosives, and the trailer’s registered owner was in custody “on unrelated matters.”

Webb said the investigation had been compromised by its disclosure, and to reveal any more information would further damage the work of state and federal investigators.

A joint counter terrorism team comprised of NSW Police, Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Crime Commission and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) have launched an investigation. Over 100 officers have been mobilized.

According to Hudson, the current threat to the Jewish community had been contained. “We understand the concerns of the Jewish community and we take these threats exceptionally seriously,” he said.

Hudson also stressed during the conference that the discovery of the van signaled a possible change from the type of antisemitic attacks recently seen in Sydney, including graffiti and arson.

“This is certainly an escalation of that, with the use of explosives that have the potential to cause a great deal of damage,” he said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act, saying that “hate and extremism have no place in Australian society.”

CNN/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma