1991 Sydney synagogue attacks
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| 1991 Sydney synagogue attacks | |
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 Locations of the five attacks | |
| Location | Sydney, Australia |
| Date | 26 January 1991 to 28 March 1991 (AEDT; UTC+11:00) |
| Target | Members of Jewish congregations, five synagogue buildings |
Attack type | Arson terrorist attack |
| Weapon | Petrol |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 1 |
| Perpetrators | At least two unknown perpetrators |
Permanent closure of one synagogue Injury of one synagogue security guard | |
The 1991 Sydney synagogue attacks were a series of arson incidents, occurring between 26 January and 28 March 1991, targeting synagogues in Sydney, Australia.[1][2] Five synagogues were attacked by arsonists within two months, resulting in one injury and over A$700,000 in damages. The attack also resulted in the permanent closure of the Bankstown Synagogue.[3]
Overview
[edit]The series of attacks began on 26 January 1991, at the North Shore Temple Emanuel, in Chatswood, with arsonists setting fire to and destroying the synagogue's kindergarten, causing A$385,000 in damages.[4][3] The following attack occurred on 26 February, at the Sephardi Synagogue, in Woollahra, arsonists broke into the synagogue kitchen and set it ablaze, causing A$25,000 in damages.[3] On 5 March, at the Bankstown Synagogue, arsonists broke into the sanctuary and set it ablaze, causing A$140,000 in damages.[3] The Torah scrolls at the Bankstown Synagogue were pulled from the building before they could be damaged in the incident.[5][6] The synagogue subsequently closed and its assets were transferred to other synagogues in Sydney.[citation needed] On 12 March, at the North Shore Synagogue, two masked arsonists attempted to set the synagogue ablaze when the attack was foiled by a security guard. The guard was injured in the altercation.[3][7][8][9] On 28 March, at the Illawarra Synagogue, in Allawah, arsonists set the synagogue sanctuary ablaze, causing A$155,000 in damages.[3][5] Hours before the attack on the Illawarra Synagogue, a delegation of Jewish community leaders had been meeting with Prime Minister Bob Hawke discussing legislative measures relating to racial vilification and racial violence.[9] Police investigations resulted in no arrests. And the incidents prompted changes in the security measures adopted by Australian Jewish institutions.[10]
That same year, synagogues in other Australian cities were targeted by vandals. Bricks were thrown through a window at the Newcastle synagogue, and a bloodied pig's head was placed at the Brisbane synagogue.[11][12] The Adass Yeshurun Synagogue in Doncaster, Melbourne, was targeted with a flaming tyre placed at its entrance.[6] And the National Jewish Centre in Canberra, was broken into and a large brass menorah was stolen from the premises.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Rutland, S. (2006). Negotiating Religious Dialogue: A Response to the Recent Increase in Anti-Semitism in Australia. Negotiating the Sacred: Blasphemy and Sacrilege in a Multicultural Society, 17-30.
- ^ Jones, J. (2006). The Jewish Community of Australia and Its Challenges. Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sydney's synagogue fires 1991-93". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 62, no. 4 (Melbourne ed.). Melbourne. 30 September 1994. p. 4. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ Waingarten, Tara (1 February 1991). "Muslims condemn attack on kindie". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 96, no. 19 (Sydney ed.). Sydney. p. 3. Retrieved 15 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ a b Jones, Jeremy (7 March 1991). "Fire at Synagogue in Sydney is Fourth Arson in Six Weeks". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Vol. 69, no. 46. New York, NY. JTA. p. 3. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via Jewish Telegraphic Agency archive.
- ^ a b Waingarten, Tara (8 March 1991). "Bankstown Synagogue torched". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 96, no. 24 (Sydney ed.). Sydney. p. 3. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ Secord, Walt (5 April 1991). "Greiner calls in police after fourth shule fire". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 58, no. 28 (Melbourne ed.). Melbourne. p. 3. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ Secord, Walt (5 April 1991). "Premier's concern on shule arson". Australian Jewish News. Vol. 96, no. 28 (Sydney ed.). Sydney. pp. 3 and 30. Retrieved 15 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ a b Jones, Jeremy (29 March 1991). "Fifth Synagogue Fire in Sydney Unites Christians, Jews for Law". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Vol. 69, no. 62. New York, NY. JTA. p. 4. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via Jewish Telegraphic Agency archive.
- ^ Lenthen, Shoshana (21 October 1994). "Lauer:"book still open" on fires". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 100, no. 7 (Sydney ed.). Sydney. p. 7. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ Secord, Walt (10 January 1992). "Antisemitism in 1991 The year of 150 attacks". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 58, no. 18 (Melbourne ed.). Melbourne. p. 3. Retrieved 14 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ Secord, Walt (10 January 1992). "Steep rise in Australian antisemitic incidents". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 97, no. 18 (Sydney ed.). Sydney. p. 3. Retrieved 15 December 2024 – via Trove.
- ^ Deutsch, Sylvia (3 May 1991). "Canberra community centre break-in". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 96, no. 32 (Sydney ed.). Sydney. p. 3. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
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