A 44-year-old man is the first person charged under a new taskforce targeting antisemitism.
A western Sydney man is the first person to be charged following the launch of the Australian Federal Police’s Special Operation Avalite against antisemitism.
The 44-year-old Blacktown resident was charged after police allege he made online death threats to members of a Jewish organisation.
Western Sydney is home to a large Middle-Eastern community.
The man was charged with one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill, and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, and five years’ imprisonment, respectively.
Police officers executed a search warrant at the man’s home on Jan. 16, seizing electronic devices and documents.
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He was granted watchhouse bail and is scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Feb. 26.
“Special Operation Avalite was established to target high-harm, recidivist antisemites,’’ Assistant Commissioner Nutt said in a statement.
The arrest is the first under new laws against antisemitism. Photo: With permission of AFP
“The experienced investigators and analysts working under Special Operation Avalite are also working to identify prolific antisemites causing high-harm in the community.
“A number of individuals are under investigation and the community should expect further charges.”
Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt termed it “abhorrent” that Australians could be targeted for their race or religion.
“Special Operation Avalite is committed to keeping Australians safe and protecting our way of life,” he said.
“Antisemites should be on notice. If you engage in antisemitic conduct, you will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Special Operation Avalite includes 21 specialist officers with experience in counter-terrorism.
Investigations may centre on actions that urge violence against members of groups, advocating for terrorism or genocide, online threats or harassment, unlawful display of symbols, or making victims’ personal details publicly available.
To ensure there is no duplication of work, Special Operation Avalite does not replicate state and territory police antisemitism investigations.
Politicians Tackling Antisemitism
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who helped establish the taskforce, says his government “unequivocally condemns antisemitism.”
“The rise of antisemitism is abhorrent and there is no place for the kind of hate speech and attacks we have seen recently in our country,” he said in a statement.
During the week, Albanese met with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Acting Premier of New South Wales Penny Sharpe, and the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw to discuss stamping out such activity.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, also supportive of the taskforce, levelled blame for the incubation of antisemitism at the Albanese Labor government.
“Shockingly, antisemitism has surged by more than 700 percent,” he said at a recent campaign rally.
“Every incident of antisemitism can be traced back to the prime minister’s dereliction of leadership in response to the sordid events on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
“Antisemitism should have been stopped there and then.”
Dutton was referring to a pro-Palestine rally held in front of the Sydney Opera House on Oct. 9, 2023, in the wake of the Hamas terror group’s surprise attack on Israel that would spark a 15-month conflict.
