Jewish students in Sydney returned to school on Friday with a heightened security presence, days after police said they foiled a planned antisemitic attack in the city using a trailer filled with explosives.

A highly concerning spate of "evil" antisemitic attacks have been occurring across Australia - particularly in Sydney and Melbourne - since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war. Synagogues, homes, cars and even a childcare centre have been firebombed and defaced with vile graffiti, inciting fear and distress.

The police said they were investigating whether “overseas actors” were involved in the vandalizing of synagogues and a day care center.

Australia has been grappling with a spate of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings and cars since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war in late 2023.

Australia was once viewed as a multicultural melting pot but a string of attacks against its Jewish community has cast doubt over this perception.