Man Jailed for Antisemitic Attacks in Sydney

0:00In Sydney, it's March 11, and here's what is going on. A 32-year-old man has been jailed for up to five years for directing a series of anti-Semitic attacks that shook Sydney early last year. Nicholas James Alexander got a non-parole period of three years and four months after pleading guilty to leading a criminal group in Firebombing A. Child Care Center in Marubra, torching the former home of a top Jewish leader and vandalizing a new town synagogue. Other homes and cars were also hit with fire and graffiti. Alexander claimed he was driven by drug deaths to overseas bosses, but the magistrates saw through that. She ruled he was motivated by money, not hate, and owned pricey cars while paying his crew. Messages show he knew the attacks were meant to split Arab and Jewish communities as part of organized crime from abroad. The Jewish community felt deep pain that grew over time, with people fearing for their safety and homes, synagogues, and streets. Alex Ribchin, whose Dover Heights house was targeted, called it a sign of evil at work.

1:03Prime Minister Anthony Albany's labelled it an outrage against Australian values, while Premier Chris Minne said he never expected such organized. Anti-Semitism in Sydney. His co-accused face earlier sentences, too. Leon Emanuel Safalis got 20 months for fire damage and Nazi symbols, and Adam Edward Moore got 7 months for group crimes. They followed orders like gig workers, caching checks, unaware of full plans. In response, New South Wales passed tougher hate laws banning Nazi displays near religious sites and cracking down on extremists after rising threats. These attacks stand apart from separate Iranian linked incidents confirmed last year. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor. Your pillow, your podcast, your moment, made for listening in bed, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.