Security is being boosted at Jewish schools, hospitals, aged care facilities and synagogues across Sydney in response to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war and the resulting tensions in Australia that police warned would have a “long tail”.
New South Wales police launched Operation Shield on Wednesday to oversee the police response to the situation, dealing with the “perception of safety, as well as actual safety” amid concerns from the Jewish community.
The operation is being headed by the NSW police deputy commissioner Mal Lanyon who on Wednesday urged parents to keep sending their kids to school.
“We are very much committed to ensuring there is that perception of safety as well as actual safety,” he said.
“We would be encouraging parents of students to go into their schools … knowing that the police will be supporting them.”
The operation will coordinate intelligence and work to prevent violence, as well as oversee applications for protests.
The acting commissioner, David Hudson, said there had been no “direct threats” thus far but there was fear within the community and security would be bolstered.
“We understand that there is very reasonable fear within the Jewish community,” he said.
“We have certainly accelerated the proactive patrols we’re doing within that community.”
He assured members of the Jewish community who planned to meet for a vigil in Sydney on Wednesday night that there would be a “heavy police presence to ensure that [it is] safely facilitated”.
The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, said the Jewish community had expressed concerns over safety this week.
“It’s clear that the Jewish community is concerned,” he said.
“We are getting reports of parents not wanting to send their kids to school. I don’t want to whip up hysteria but I do want to address those concerns.”
Police explained the operation was being set up in direct response to the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and historical tensions bubbling to the surface.
“It’s fully expected that those terrorist attacks and the resulting responses will have a long tail for the foreseeable future and we need to prepare for that,” Hudson said.
“The operation will capture all intelligence available to us in relation to community sentiment, potential protest activity and potential demonstrations.
“It’s incumbent upon us to stand up a standalone operation to coordinate the activities not just within the city region, but also across the border state of NSW.”
The premier, Chris Minns, apologised for allowing a march to go ahead that ended with pro-Palestinian protesters throwing flares and chanting antisemitic slurs on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
“I really want to make it clear to the Jewish community that I want to apologise to them specifically, on behalf of the government and myself as the premier of NSW,” Minns said on Wednesday morning.
He said Jewish people needed to be safe in Sydney.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip welcomed and accepted the apology from the premier.
“The Jewish community of Sydney will long remember the infamy and disgrace of what transpired,” he said.
“We are grateful for the additional resources that NSW Police are dedicating to ensure the security of the Jewish community.”
Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane, who represents a significant Jewish community, said the increased police presence had been welcomed.
“I’ve received many calls and emails from local residents who are worried about their safety and the safety of their children,” she said.
“I trust that all resources required by our Jewish schools, synagogues and other community centres will be provided.”
Hudson said there would be high visibility operations around Jewish sites and police were in ongoing contact with the JBD about what was required.
