Latest news with #AlexRyvchin
The Age
14-07-2025
- The Age
Anonymous ‘group' claims responsibility for attack on Israel-linked military parts maker
The individual goes on to threaten violence against Lovitt Technologies employees: 'Every worker in this supply chain is complicit … We will decide your fate as you have decided the fate of millions. 'For the past few months, we have been closely watching you. We have your addresses. All the information we have about you will be distributed to our underground networks.' The video began circulating widely online on Monday after it was uploaded to an anonymous Instagram account, but it was first reported by The Guardian late last week. A Victoria Police spokesperson said on Monday that the investigation into the vandal attack had been escalated to its counterterrorism unit. 'The matter is now being investigated by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes personnel from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 'Investigators are aware of a video which has been circulating where a group has claimed responsibility for the incident. This video is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,' the spokesperson said. Loading Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said failing to confront the threat of extremist behaviour would harm Australia. 'Seeing a group resembling an al-Qaeda terror cell openly pledging to carry out criminal acts is chilling and disturbing. It doesn't matter that they think they're doing something just and righteous – Islamist terrorists and neo-Nazis think that too. 'What matters is that we remain a country of laws and not allow bands of zealots to decide what is a legitimate target for violence and criminal acts. ' Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission described the video as a 'manifesto of violence'. 'The people targeted in this video are ordinary Australians. Parents who pack school lunches. Children who kiss them goodnight. 'They were not just threatened, they were told they were being watched. We now face a chilling question: what happens when a campaign of hate leaves the internet and enters your driveway? What happens when slogans turn to gasoline? This is not an isolated episode.' The vandal attack occurred the same night that Sydney man Angelo Loras allegedly attempted to firebomb an East Melbourne synagogue with children and families inside, and 20 people stormed Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Police have not found a formal link between the three incidents or determined if the firebombing was an act of terror. A Lovitt Technologies spokesperson declined to comment, citing the police investigation. Loading The video footage emerged as Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin called on the state's new police chief, Mike Bush, to explain what he planned to do to stop expressions of anti-Jewish hatred at public demonstrations. Bush has officially been in the job for two weeks and attended the first meeting of Premier Jacinta Allan's new anti-hate taskforce. Battin expressed frustration that during last Sunday's regular pro-Palestine rally in central Melbourne, protesters chanted 'Death to the IDF' and displayed swastikas without intervention by police who were monitoring the march. 'Mike Bush, obviously, he is fairly new in the job and we will give him the benefit of the doubt, but he needs to be coming out and explaining what he is doing when it comes to the protests here in this state,' Battin said. 'Is he acting on policy from the Victorian government or is he going to go out and start acting to ensure that we can take back the streets and not have this hate speech on Victorian streets? Battin restated his support for the re-introduction of move-on laws for police and backed a recommendation by Australia's Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, to withdraw government funding from public universities, broadcasters and other organisations which tolerated antisemitism.
Sydney Morning Herald
14-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Anonymous ‘group' claims responsibility for attack on Israel-linked military parts maker
The individual goes on to threaten violence against Lovitt Technologies employees: 'Every worker in this supply chain is complicit … We will decide your fate as you have decided the fate of millions. 'For the past few months, we have been closely watching you. We have your addresses. All the information we have about you will be distributed to our underground networks.' The video began circulating widely online on Monday after it was uploaded to an anonymous Instagram account, but it was first reported by The Guardian late last week. A Victoria Police spokesperson said on Monday that the investigation into the vandal attack had been escalated to its counterterrorism unit. 'The matter is now being investigated by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes personnel from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 'Investigators are aware of a video which has been circulating where a group has claimed responsibility for the incident. This video is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,' the spokesperson said. Loading Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said failing to confront the threat of extremist behaviour would harm Australia. 'Seeing a group resembling an al-Qaeda terror cell openly pledging to carry out criminal acts is chilling and disturbing. It doesn't matter that they think they're doing something just and righteous – Islamist terrorists and neo-Nazis think that too. 'What matters is that we remain a country of laws and not allow bands of zealots to decide what is a legitimate target for violence and criminal acts. ' Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission described the video as a 'manifesto of violence'. 'The people targeted in this video are ordinary Australians. Parents who pack school lunches. Children who kiss them goodnight. 'They were not just threatened, they were told they were being watched. We now face a chilling question: what happens when a campaign of hate leaves the internet and enters your driveway? What happens when slogans turn to gasoline? This is not an isolated episode.' The vandal attack occurred the same night that Sydney man Angelo Loras allegedly attempted to firebomb an East Melbourne synagogue with children and families inside, and 20 people stormed Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Police have not found a formal link between the three incidents or determined if the firebombing was an act of terror. A Lovitt Technologies spokesperson declined to comment, citing the police investigation. Loading The video footage emerged as Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin called on the state's new police chief, Mike Bush, to explain what he planned to do to stop expressions of anti-Jewish hatred at public demonstrations. Bush has officially been in the job for two weeks and attended the first meeting of Premier Jacinta Allan's new anti-hate taskforce. Battin expressed frustration that during last Sunday's regular pro-Palestine rally in central Melbourne, protesters chanted 'Death to the IDF' and displayed swastikas without intervention by police who were monitoring the march. 'Mike Bush, obviously, he is fairly new in the job and we will give him the benefit of the doubt, but he needs to be coming out and explaining what he is doing when it comes to the protests here in this state,' Battin said. 'Is he acting on policy from the Victorian government or is he going to go out and start acting to ensure that we can take back the streets and not have this hate speech on Victorian streets? Battin restated his support for the re-introduction of move-on laws for police and backed a recommendation by Australia's Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, to withdraw government funding from public universities, broadcasters and other organisations which tolerated antisemitism.
SBS Australia
10-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Mixed reaction from Jewish groups to antisemitism recommendations
Australian universities, cultural institutions and public broadcasters could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on antisemitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal has produced a report claiming that Jewish Australians are suffering discrimination cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where. Its recommendations call on the government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against antisemitism. The report also recommended governments review funding to cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists if they are determined to support or implicitly endorse antisemitism themes or narratives. Co-C-E-O of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin says there needs to be a close examination of where antisemitism is stemming from. "To look at where antisemitism is allowed to take root, in schools, in universities, in cultural institutions and that's something that needs to be engaged with and that's a critical aspect of this report. But the role of the government will be fundamental in this in terms of both directly engaging with the plan, implementing aspects of it, but also sending a clear message through society that this is the way forward and the expectation is that everyone will do their part." The Jewish Council of Australia has criticised a sweeping new plan to combat antisemitism, calling it "straight out of the Trump playbook". Australian universities, cultural institutions and public broadcasters could have their funding withheld as part of plan outlined by the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal. Proposals also include amending the Migration Act to provide for antisemitic conduct to be grounds for visa refusal. Executive Officer of the Jewish Council and antisemitism expert, Dr Max Kaiser, has told S-B-S he believes the report is misguided and could lead to a far-reaching crackdown on the ability to criticise Israel. "I mean, this is straight out of the Trump playbook. This is mislocating the problem of antisemitism as being a problem of migrants, cultural institutions, universities, and by implication, the protest movement. And we think that that is not the source of antisemitism. There are serious issues with antisemitism in Australian society, but they can't be dealt with in isolation. They have to be dealt with as part of much broader efforts to tackle racism as a whole in Australian society." Toxic algae is taking over the waters off South Australia, with devastating consequences for marine life. It's also impacting the state's fisheries, and prompting fears of serious long-term effects. This week, the South Australian government announced a relief package for business impacted by the issue, valued at up to $500,000 [[09 JULY]]. Businesses in affected industries will see licence fee relief backdated to April, with the state saying more help may flow, depending on what happens next. Greens senator Sarah-Hanson Young is calling on the federal government to declare a national disaster. "What we're seeing unfolding on the South Australian coastline, and now right along Adelaide's metro beaches, is this algae bloom that is killing our sea life and our wildlife, killing the vegetation within the sea beds, and it's a disaster, it's an environmental catastrophe." A damning new report has found the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union deliberately inflicted physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse to cause fear - including against women and kids - to gain power. A damning report has found the union's Queensland branch was ruthless in its pursuit of political, industrial, and financial power. The union was placed into administration nationwide amid claims that bikie and organised crime figures had infiltrated the organisation. Administrator Mark Irving commissioned barrister Geoffrey Watson to probe the reports of violence and intimidation. He says what he found only scratched the surface of serious allegations of intimidation and thuggery. Multiple pedestrians are being assessed by paramedics after being struck by a car near a suburban playground in Melbourne's outer east. Victoria Police say the incident, which occurred around midday at Coleman Road in the suburb of Wantirna South, is not believed to be intentional. Telstra says they have proposed slashing 550 jobs from the organisation in a new restructure. In a statement to S-B-S, a Telstra spokesperson says the decision has no relation to their recent adoption of artificial intelligence technology and is an attempt to "reduce complexity, create efficiencies, and respond to changing customer needs". They say they are still in the process of consulting with staff and, if the decision does go ahead, affected staff will ahve access to a redundancy package and a range of support services. Two former A-League players have pleaded guilty to engaging in betting corruption by intentionally getting yellow cards during matches in 2023 and 2024. 33-year-old Kearyn Baccus and 27-year-old Clayton Lewis were allegdly paid ten thousand dollars by their former captain at the Macarthur Bulls, Ulises Davila, to get the cards during particular games. Baccus and Lewis will be sentenced in September. It's alleged that Davila was the ringleader of the operation, and the conduit between the Macarthur players and an unnamed criminal group in Colombia. He's facing nine charges, to which he has not yet entered a plea. He'll appear in court in August. In football, Paris Saint Germain will play Chelsea in the final of the Club World Cup in the United States on Monday morning. European champions P-S-G have thrashed Real Madrid, four goals to nil, in their semi-final in New Jersey. They blew away the Spanish giants with three goals in the first 25 minutes, two of them scored by midfielder Fabian Ruiz. Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso [[sha-bee ah-LON-so]] says he has no choice but to tip his cap to the French side. "They have already been playing together for a couple of years and for sure since February they have been playing at a top, top level. We have not been the first ones to have a strong defeat against them. So, they play really well as a team. It's been really tough to play against them."
Egypt Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Synagogue door set alight and restaurant stormed in latest antisemitic attacks in Australia
Sydney CNN — A man set the door of a synagogue alight and a group of protesters stormed an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne on Friday night, the latest in a wave of antisemitic attacks in Australian cities. About 20 people were inside the synagogue in the downtown area of East Melbourne when a man poured flammable liquid on the front door of the synagogue on Albert Street before setting it on fire, Victoria state police said. The group was having Shabbat dinner, marking the beginning of the Jewish day of rest, when the attack took place at 8 p.m. local time, Alex Ryvchin, the co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), wrote on X. No one was injured and firefighters extinguished the small blaze, police said, adding that the perpetrator, who remains unidentified, fled the scene. Just over 1 kilometer to the west on Hardware Lane – one of the city's most popular areas for restaurants and nightlife – about 20 protesters stormed into an Israeli restaurant, chanting slogans, police said. A 28-year-old was arrested for hindering police, and has been released on a summons. The group was chanting 'Death to the IDF' before arriving at the restaurant, CNN affiliate Nine News reported, citing witnesses. Staff at the restaurant, Miznon – which launched in the Israeli commercial hub Tel Aviv in 2011 before opening a branch in Melbourne – acknowledged the incident when contacted by CNN. Speaking at a press briefing, Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan of Victoria state police said officers were also investigating a third attack early Saturday morning in which three cars were set on fire near a business in the northeastern suburb of Greensborough. Suspects spray-painted the cars and the walls of the buildings, she said, adding that the business has been targeted by pro-Palestine protesters in the past. The security investigation unit, part of the counter-terrorism command, is investigating all the incidents, though police have yet to declare whether they constitute a terrorism incident, Dunstan said. 'We will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons or person involved,' she said. Many among Australia's 117,000-strong Jewish population are anxious after spate of antisemitic attacks in the country's two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, since late last year – including arson attacks on synagogues, and swastikas scrawled on buildings and cars. The latest attacks drew condemnation from officials and community leaders on Saturday. Denouncing the synagogue attack on X Saturday, Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan said it was 'designed to shatter…peace and traumatize Jewish families.' 'That it happened on Shabbat makes it all the more abhorrent,' she added, noting that children and women were among the people present at the venue. 'Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate, and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of anti-Semitism,' she said. Melbourne's Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece described the attack as 'shocking,' according to Nine News. 'I cannot condemn this sort of behavior in stronger terms… this is a city of peace and tolerance, and we will not stand for this,' he said. Ryvchin, from the ECAJ, urged the nation to condemn 'these deplorable crimes.' 'Those responsible cannot be reasoned with or appeased. They must be confronted with the full force of the law,' he wrote on X. Israeli President Isaac Herzog joined in condemning the attacks in a post of his own on X, urging Australian officials to 'take all steps necessary to protect their Jewish citizens.' 'This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months,' Herzog wrote. 'But it must be the last.' Likewise, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement Saturday calling on Australia 'to take all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators to justice and to prevent such attacks in the future.' This story has been updated with additional developments.
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Anthony Albanese defends Labor's action against anti-Semitism after Melbourne synagogue fire
Anthony Albanese has defended Labor's track record of working and responding to anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community, amid attacks from the opposition that there have been too many 'talkfests' and not enough 'action'. While quizzed by journalists in Hobart on Tuesday, the Prime Minister snapped back at a reporter who said Jewish community leaders had claimed the government's response was 'insufficient'. The questions were in response to an alleged arson attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue on Friday night, 'Who is saying that?' asked in response, and said he had spoken to community leaders on Saturday. 'Every time there has been a request, it has been met, expeditiously,' he said. 'On Saturday, one of the reasons why this gentleman has been caught so quickly is because the CCTV that was in place there was as a direct result of Commonwealth Government funding.' Mr Albanese also rejected calls for him to convene national cabinet in response to Friday's alleged arson attack. 'Every time an issue comes up, people say, let's have a national cabinet. Let's be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action,' Mr Albanese said. Mr Albanese's comments comes after Executive Council of the Australian Jewry president Alex Ryvchin urged the government to adopt its 15-point plan to 'defeat anti-Semitism' in Australia. The plan includes calls for anti-Semitism education in the national curriculum and urges Labor to declare a National Emergency and establish a Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce to 'fight against anti-Semitic terror before we have a major terror attack in this country'. Speaking later on Tuesday following a visit to the East Melbourne Synagogue, Sussan Ley maintained the Albanese government was not doing enough to protect Jewish-Australians. 'What I hear from the community is there have been many task forces, there have been many talkfests, many conversations and many words. What they are really calling for is action,' she said, alongside shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser and finance spokesperson James Paterson. Ms Ley also called for stronger state hate speech laws, which would prohibit people from chanting phrases like 'death to Israel,' and said calls for a national cabinet meeting to tackle anti-Semitism were a 'good suggestion'. 'There shouldn't be an ability for people to chant the words 'death' and I won't complete the phase, on the streets of Melbourne, and it just be accepted,' she said. 'It is not a protest, it is hate – pure hate and we need to have laws and levers and I would respectfully ask the Premier of Victoria to consider how she might instruct law enforcement in a way that allows a stronger intervention.'
