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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Jewish worshippers allegedly targeted in fake pistol incident in Sydney

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Two men, aged 22 and 25, have been charged in Sydney after allegedly pointing an imitation pistol at a synagogue.
  • The incident occurred outside Chabad Double Bay on a Saturday during the Jewish Sabbath.
  • Both men were granted bail under strict conditions, including a prohibition from entering Double Bay.

Two men in Sydney have been charged after allegedly pointing an imitation pistol at a synagogue in the eastern suburb of Double Bay. Police were called to Chabad Double Bay shortly after 12:20 PM on Saturday, following reports that individuals in a car had directed a firearm towards the building. The incident occurred during the Jewish Sabbath, a significant time for the community.

We've seen so many incidents in recent times involving acts of threats of violence directed at the Jewish community, so it no longer comes as a surprise.

— Peter WertheimThe co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry commented on the incident in light of recent threats.

Officers stopped a Toyota SUV in Kings Cross a short time later. A search of the vehicle revealed an imitation pistol, which has been seized for forensic examination. The two men arrested at the scene, identified as 22-year-old Neils Baholet and 25-year-old Merouan Meye, were taken to police stations before appearing in court.

Baholet faces charges including using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offense, possessing an unauthorized pistol, and stalking offenses. He is scheduled to return to court on July 22. Meye is charged with possessing an unauthorized pistol and is due in court on July 13. Both men were granted bail under strict conditions, which include not being allowed to enter Double Bay.

It was a group of Jewish Australians who were doing nothing more than attending a Sabbath service as they do every week.

— Peter WertheimWertheim described the alleged targets of the incident.

Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed that while he was shocked by the incident, it was not surprising given the recent increase in threats against the Jewish community. He commended the swift response of the Jewish security group CSG and the NSW Police, noting that such actions provide comfort to the community following a threatening event. The arrests coincide with the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, which is examining the circumstances of the Bondi terror attack and the prevalence of antisemitism in Australia.

It's something that will give some degree of comfort to the community after what was obviously a threatening and menacing incident.

— Peter WertheimWertheim praised the quick response of law enforcement and security groups.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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