Operation Avalite

Man charged over death threat to Jewish organisation

First charges laid in Sydney under Special Operation Avalite, which was established in December following the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne

AFP officers execute a search warrant at a home in Blacktown.
AFP officers execute a search warrant at a home in Blacktown.

AFP Special Operation Avalite on Thursday charged a Western Sydney man with allegedly making death threats to members of a Jewish organisation.

They were the first charges laid in Sydney under Special Operation Avalite, which was established in December following the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.

“Special Operation Avalite was established to target high-harm, recidivist antisemites,’’ AFP Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said.

“The experienced investigators and analysts working under Special Operation Avalite are also working to identify prolific antisemites causing high-harm in the community.

“A number of individuals are under investigation and the community should expect further charges.”

Assistant Commissioner Nutt said it was abhorrent that individuals are being targeted and threatened because of their race or religion.

“Special Operation Avalite is committed to keeping Australians safe and protecting our way of life,” he said.

“Antisemites should be on notice. If you engage in antisemitic conduct, you will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

The AJN understands the man made the threats on social media, directed at Australian Jewish Association (AJA) president David Adler.

The Blacktown man, 44, was charged with one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill, and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. The offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and five years’ imprisonment, respectively.

He was granted watchhouse bail and is scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on February 26.

Special Operation Avalite executed a search warrant at the man’s Blacktown home on Thursday, seizing electronic devices and documents.

The AJA welcomed the arrest on Thursday evening.

“The Jewish community is under siege and facing a surge of numerous and varied antisemitic attacks. It has felt like the federal government has abandoned the Jewish community,” AJA CEO Robert Gregory said.

“We are grateful to the AFP and Operation Avalite for their work, and we look forward to further arrests in additional cases.”

Also on Thursday, a third man was arrested and charged over damage to vehicles and buildings during an antisemitic vandalism attack in Sydney’s Woollahra last November. He will appear before Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, March 3.

“We welcome the announcement this afternoon of an arrest of a male in connection with the antisemitic vandalism of vehicles and property in Woollahra in November as well as the first arrest under Operation Avalite of an individual who allegedly made death threats against a Jewish organisation,” NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said.

“To restore deterrence, it is essential that individuals who commit crimes motivated by antisemitic animus are swiftly identified, prosecuted and receive substantial penalties.”

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