Two Charged After Alleged Imitation Gun Incident Outside Chabad House In Sydney

by CrownHeights.info

Two men have been charged after police allege an imitation pistol was pointed at people gathered outside a Chabad House in Sydney, in what Jewish community leaders have described as a deeply disturbing incident.

According to New South Wales Police, officers were called to Chabad Double Bay around midday on Saturday after receiving reports that a man inside a passing vehicle had pointed what appeared to be a handgun toward congregants gathered outside the synagogue.

Police quickly located the vehicle, stopping it in the Kings Cross area. A search of the Toyota SUV allegedly uncovered an imitation firearm, and two men, aged 22 and 25, were arrested.

The 22-year-old has been charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, possessing an unauthorized pistol, and stalking/intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm. The 25-year-old has been charged with possession of an unauthorized pistol.

Both men were refused bail and were scheduled to appear in court on Sunday.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin condemned the alleged act, noting that it comes at a particularly painful time for Australia’s Jewish community.

“Threatening and terrifying Jews for laughs. Well done to the police for their swift action,” Ryvchin said.

The alleged incident comes just months after the deadly terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community in Bondi. Chabad Double Bay is part of the same broader Chabad organization as Chabad Bondi, which hosted the Chanukah celebration that was attacked on December 14.

During that attack, authorities allege that 15 people were murdered by Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram. Sajid Akram was fatally shot by police at the scene, while Naveed Akram is facing 79 charges, including multiple counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.

The latest alleged incident has heightened concerns within Australia’s Jewish community, which has experienced a significant rise in antisemitic threats and intimidation in the wake of the December massacre. Community leaders praised the swift police response, which they say helped prevent the situation from escalating further.

The investigation remains ongoing.