Baku: Australian police are looking into whether foreign actors have paid local criminals to commit antisemitic offenses after a series of attacks on sites associated with the country’s Jewish community, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday: The crimes have included torching a child care center, burning cars in largely Jewish neighborhoods, and smearing red paint and graffiti on synagogues in Sydney, while a synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed in December, injuring one person.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the two southeastern cities are home to 84% of the country’s Jewish population of around 117,000. The investigation is focusing on the possibility that external influences have been involved in organizing these crimes, which have raised significant concerns within the Jewish community and the general public in Australia. The police are intensifying their efforts to identify any connections between local perpetrators and foreign entities that may have orchestrated these acts.

Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the seriousness of the situation and assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities in Australia. The authorities are working closely with international partners to track any potential foreign involvement and to bring those responsible to justice. The government is determined to counter antisemitism and prevent any further incidents from occurring.