Brisbane Synagogue ramming not a ‘terrorist incident’

The ramming of the Brisbane Synagogue on Friday night is not being treated as a “terrorist incident”, but North Brisbane District acting superintendent Michael Hogan said it was “definitely a targeted attack”.

Matthew De Campo, 32, fronted Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with wilful damage serious vilification or hate crime, dangerous operation of a vehicle, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of utensils or pipes for use. Security footage captured him reversing his ute into the gates of Queensland’s oldest synagogue at about 7.16pm, narrowly missing the congregation’s vice president who had to jump out of the way.

De Campo represented himself at a bail application via video link on Saturday. Magistrate Deborah Vasta said he allegedly made antisemitic remarks during a police interview and “expressed a hatred for groups of people based on their religion, in this case Judaism”. He was denied bail and remanded in custody for mention on March 11.

Brisbane Synagogue Rabbi Levi Jaffe described the incident as an attack on Australian values and society.

“This is not just an attack on the Jewish community, it’s an attack on all of Australia because it is an attack on our value system,” Rabbi Jaffe said.

Queensland Board of Deputies vice president Libby Burke said: “A synagogue is a sacred space – a place of prayer, reflection and community. To see its gates viciously rammed is profoundly devastating and is not dissimilar to what we have seen throughout the globe.”

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor visited the Brisbane Synagogue on Monday, along with shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser and Senator Jane Hume, to show support, while Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Head of Legal Simone Abel revealed the ramming attack was particularly poignant as her great-grandfather was the Synagogue’s Rabbi in the early 20th Century.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the incident justified rushing tough new antisemitism laws through parliament.

“This is another signal as to why we have to put strong laws before Parliament to protect all people where they worship,” he said.

“We are going through the process and I fully intend to have them passed during the next sitting of Parliament.”

The proposed laws would be the toughest in the country, with Queenslanders who display hate symbols, recite terrorist slogans, harass or cause damage at a place of worship facing up to seven years in prison.