Man charged with hate crime after truck rammed into synagogue in Australia
By Chris Lau, CNN
(CNN) — A man has been charged with committing a hate crime after a car smashed into the gates of the biggest synagogue in Brisbane, the latest of a series of attacks on Australia’s Jewish community.
The alleged attack follows a string of assaults on Jewish people and their religious establishments, as community leaders warn of a rise in antisemitism.
In December, two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, in the country’s worst mass shooing in almost 30 years.
On Friday evening, a black pickup truck crashed into the Brisbane Synagogue, knocking down its gates, before being driven away, Queensland Police said.
A 32-year-old man was later taken into custody after investigators located the vehicle, they added.
Police said no one was injured.
The man is due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court Saturday, to face a raft of charges including wilful damage, serious vilification or hate crime, dangerous driving and possession of a dangerous drug.
Israel’s government has repeatedly criticized its counterpart in Australia for failing to address antisemitic attacks in the country.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit earlier this month following the Bondi attack sparked protests at major Australian cities, including clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators with the police outside Sydney Town Hall.
After Friday’s Brisbane attack, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as “very concerning.”
“This will be very distressing for the Jewish community in Queensland,” he wrote in a social media post, adding that he has already spoken with Jewish leaders and police.
“I want to assure Queenslanders we are taking this seriously,” the premier said.
The-CNN-Wire
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