
The owner of a caravan packed with explosives was already in custody at the time of its discovery for alleged offences being investigated by a NSW Police strikeforce targeting hate crimes.
The caravan was discovered by police at Dural, outside Sydney, on January 19 but only made public yesterday. NSW Police have also made some other arrests. Overnight, there were media reports about the involvement of foreign influences.
Earlier today, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said he believed the offences had been “orchestrated” but did not speculate further on foreign interference links.
Inside the caravan was the address of Jewish targets in Sydney.
“Until we’re certain of where these attacks have been orchestrated from, and we believe that some of them are being orchestrated by others, not the individuals, we haven’t identified any of the individuals with any specific ideology that would cause them to commit the acts that they have committed,” said Hudson.
“We have identified links between certain jobs which gives us some indication there is a level of coordination above those perpetrating the offences,” he added. “But I’m not prepared to go into those details because they’re components of an ongoing investigative strategy.”
“The important thing here are two things,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on ABC radio this morning. “One is that the priority must be keeping Australians safe. And in this case this incident has been discovered, people have been held to account.”
“”The second thing that needs to happen is that the job of politicians is to support our security agencies, anti-terrorism organisations, that do such an extraordinary job in investigating but also importantly stopping threats to our safety and allow them to have operational control over investigations.”
“The revelation of an apparent discovery in NSW of a caravan laden with explosives intended for a synagogue is as sickening as it is horrifying,” said Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on X. “It is a grave and sinister escalation in this insidious rise of unchecked antisemitism in our country.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns also said the incident had all the hallmarks of an anti-semitic attack.
“I want to make it clear that anyone attempting this level of violence will be met with the full force of a massive and growing police response,” he said. “The advice from the NSW Police is that the threat has been contained.”