MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian state committed more police to investigate a spate of antisemitic crimes, officials said on Tuesday after a childcare center was torched near a Sydney synagogue.

Australian police believe explosives found on Sydney’s outskirts were evidence of a deadly escalation in a campaign of antisemitic arson and graffiti crimes that has been waged in major cities for months.

SYDNEY: Australian authorities said Wednesday (j=Jan 29) they had seized explosives stored in a caravan in greater Sydney possibly intended for a "mass casualty" anti-Semitic attack.

The explosives located in a caravan could have caused a 'potential mass casualty event', authorities have said.

and one person suffered burn injuries in the fire that was set at a Melbourne synagogue in December. Acting New South Police Wales Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell said Strike Force Pearl ...

The NSW police are continuing their investigation before charging the individual, according to Webb taking their time because the immediate threat had been averted.

Crimes against Jewish communities have been escalating across Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended his government's response to such acts.

Anthony Albanese has shut down questions about when he learned of the probe; Peter Dutton says the caravan plot could have been most catastrophic in history. Follow live updates.

Anthony Albanese has shut down reporters asking questions about an alleged anti-Semitic terror plot, as Peter Dutton said it was significant if the PM wasn’t told.

A caravan found with high-powered explosives inside has been linked to a woman who was already charged over an anti-Semitic incident.

A caravan packed with explosives is the means. A note in the vehicle with Jewish addresses including a synagogue is the motive. Taken together these facts tell me that there is a growing risk of a mass casualty attack in Australia,

Anthony Albanese has shut down reporters asking when he was briefed on an explosive-laden caravan involved in an alleged anti-Semitic terror plot in Sydney.