Australian authorities said a planned terror attack against the country’s Jewish community was foiled by investigators. Officials said they discovered a camper loaded with explosives in a Sydney suburb.
When did the police discover the camper?
“Police were made aware of a van with explosive material located in Dural. They’ve been conducting investigation into the site, into the van, into the owners of the van, and any associates of the owners that van since that time,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, said.
The discovery happened on Sunday, Jan. 19, but the public was not notified until Wednesday, Jan. 29. The next day, Thursday, Jan. 30, law enforcement revealed the owner of the caravan is in police custody for separate antisemitic crimes.
Why did police wait to release details?
NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner David Hudson and Premier Minns defended the decision to keep the information a secret until this week.
Both argued that the decision to keep details from the public were to protect the investigation. Hudson criticized the media for hurting the ongoing probe by publishing important information.
“We still are after other offenders that we believe may be involved,” Hudson said. “To come out prior to it being put out by particular news establishments would compromise our job that was going to happen once it became, so we felt, so we’ve been in discussions with the government, and we’ve sort of disclosed fully what we’re aware of and where we’re going with this job.”
Hudson also claimed police made arrests on the “periphery” of the case during the 10 days since the van’s discovery. However, authorities would not reveal the charges. Hudson also declined to disclose potential targets of the alleged plot during the press conference.
What was found inside the van?
However, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said on Wednesday, Jan. 29, that the van had a note outlining potential Jewish community targets.
Investigators believe the latest terror plot is related to several arson and vandalism incidents in the Sydney area in recent weeks. Investigators found stolen putty explosives and a note with an obscenity toward Jewish people in the van.
Authorities did not find a detonation device at the scene. They don’t believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.
What’s next in the investigation?
Hudson said a counterterrorism operation of 100 officers has been put on the case. That group is working with numerous local and federal agencies in the investigation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the “full might” of the law will be brought to find the perpetrators of the planned terror attack. He said, “Hate and extremism have no place in Australian society.”
Some within the Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne have called on the Australian government to do more in the wake of antisemitism. The area has seen a spike since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and subsequent war in Gaza. Australian officials also note, anti-Muslim acts have also risen since the start of the war.
