A man has been charged with a hate crime after ramming his car into the gates of Brisbane's largest synagogue on Friday night.
Police were called to the Brisbane Synagogue at 7.16pm local time (9.16am UK) after a man drove a black Toyota pick-up truck into the temple's gates, knocking them down, before leaving the scene.
No one was injured in the attack, and the alleged assailant was apprehended by authorities shortly after, Queensland Police said in a statement.
The incident appears to be the most recent in a spate of anti-Semitic crimes across Australia, includinga mass shooting at a Hanukkah party at Bondi Beachin December, which left 15 people dead and 38 injured.
The 32-year-old male suspect, who has not been named, will appear in Brisbane magistrates' court on Saturday on charges of wilful damage, serious vilification or hate crime, dangerous operation of a vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police believe the man acted alone, and the incident is still under investigation.
It is unclear how many people were inside the building at the time of the attack.
'Deeply distressing' for Jewish community
Friday evening marks the beginning of the Sabbath – the holiest period of the week for Jewish people – and is a popular time to attend services.
The synagogue, located in the heart of Brisbane, was built in 1886 and is the oldest temple in Queensland.
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David Crisafulli, the premier of Queensland, called the attack "distressing for the Jewish community".
"I have spoken to Jewish leaders, as well as police, and I want to assure Queenslanders we are taking this seriously," he said.
Steven Miles, the state's Labor leader, said he was "deeply troubled to hear about the incident at the Brisbane Synagogue overnight".
He added: "Queensland's Jewish community should always feel safe and respected, especially in a place of worship. There is no place for hate or intimidation in Queensland."
In the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting, the country's parliament passed stronger hate crime legislation, which has garnered controversy for its potential effects on freedom of speech.
The government of Queensland earlier this month also introduced its own bill, which specifically targets anti-Semitism, to clamp down on extremist groups and the use of hate symbols.
Mr Crisafulli said the attack in Brisbane was "another signal as to why we have put strong laws before Parliament to protect all people where they worship".
The synagogue was previously the subject of another anti-Semitic attack in October 2021, when a Nazi flag was draped over the window of a neighbouring building.
A lawyer for Brendan John Jones, who pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance, told a court he had hung the offensive flag to "disrupt" climate protesters who had been in the city several days before.
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