The Jewish Council is disappointed in conspiratorial comments from many people in response to the recent antisemitic vandalism at two synagogues in Sydney. Regardless of who the perpetrators are the act of graffitiing synagogues with swastikas is a clear act of antisemitism.

Antisemitism along with Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism and other forms of racism, is clearly a major issue in Australian society. This means that: 

1. all people who are against racism should stand with empathy and solidarity with the victims of these racist attacks 

2. comments such as 'they did it to themselves' should be called out as antisemitic conspiracy theories. Implying that all Jews act together as one to deceive people is a common antisemitic trope propagated by the far right.

We thank our Muslim and Palestinian partners for sharing their solidarity and standing against all forms of racism. We also condemn those who are using these incidents to spread hate and stoke Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.