Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has condemned acts of anti-Semitic vandalism that occurred in Woollahra last week. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
Ten cars parked along several Woollahra streets, as well as three properties, were graffitied with anti-Semitic messages on November 21, with one of the cars set alight.
“The anti-Semitic acts of vandalism that occurred this week in Woollahra are shocking and shameful, and I condemn them unreservedly,” Archbishop Fisher said in a statement.
“Sadly, these types of attacks are becoming all too frequent. No person or group in this country should be subject to hatred, intimidation or violence based on their faith or ethnicity.”
Archbishop Fisher warned that Australia’s proud multicultural and multifaith culture cannot be taken for granted.
“Our nation is proudly multicultural, and we accept and welcome people of all faiths. It is for precisely this reason that many people fleeing persecution around the globe – whether for reasons religious, sectarian, or ethnic – make Australia their home.
“But this is something we must constantly work to keep. I call on all people, including our civic and religious authorities at every level, to do all they can to ensure that our society is peaceful and free from acts of hatred,” the archbishop said.
The incident was also condemned by politicians at all levels of government.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the “disturbing scenes” were “deeply troubling to all Australians.”
“There is no place for anti-Semitism in Australia. Conflict overseas cannot be made a platform for prejudice at home,” he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled the attacks deplorable, unacceptable and unAustralian, and made it clear that the full force of the law would be brought to bear on those who participated in the behaviour.
NSW Police have established Strike Force Mylor to investigate the vandalism.
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Archbishop Fisher condemns anti-Semitic vandalism (By Monica Doumit, The Catholic Weekly)
