Australian police expose fake synagogue attack plot linked to organised crime

Australian authorities have revealed that an organised crime network staged a false plot to attack a synagogue in Sydney, using a caravan laden with explosives, in an attempt to divert law enforcement resources for criminal gain.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced that the explosives found in January were deliberately planted in a way that made them easy to discover, with no detonator present, indicating that the intention was not to cause actual harm but rather to create fear and disruption, Al Jazeera reported.

Following an investigation known as Operation Kissinger, police have identified multiple individuals linked to the scheme and are collaborating with both local and international law enforcement agencies to hold them accountable.

Authorities noted that this staged attack aimed to create public panic while drawing police attention away from ongoing criminal activities, allowing the perpetrators to operate with reduced scrutiny.

Despite earlier concerns about possible terror plots, investigators have since determined that all related tip-offs were fabricated, with the caravan case serving as a calculated effort to manipulate counterterrorism efforts.

The revelation comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across Australia, with synagogues, schools, homes, and vehicles increasingly targeted, raising concerns within the Jewish community and prompting strong reactions from international allies.

The AFP acknowledged the broader impact of the fabricated plot, highlighting the distress it caused to the Jewish community while also noting the unwarranted suspicion directed at other groups due to the misleading nature of the case.