Two Men Arrested in Sydney for Pointing Fake Gun at Synagogue Amid Rising Anti-Semitism

Australian authorities arrested two men, aged 22 and 25, in Sydney after they aimed a replica gun at a synagogue in the suburb of Double Bay during Shabbat. Police stopped their SUV following eyewitness reports and found the fake weapon during a roadside search. The suspects were charged with possession of a fake firearm and public intimidation.

This incident has heightened fears within Australia's Jewish community, which remains on edge following a deadly terrorist attack last Hanukkah at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a local Chabad emissary. The community has criticized local police for inadequate protection, with Rabbi Yosef Eichenblat, whose home was targeted in the attack, accusing officers of inaction.

The recent event raises renewed concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in safeguarding Jewish residents amid a sharp increase in anti-Semitic incidents across Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces growing pressure to take stronger measures against rising anti-Semitism, though many view the government's response as insufficient so far.