Perpetrators of anti-Semitic crimes can face up to two years in jail under a tough new package of laws aimed at stamping out racially and religiously-motivated violence targeting Jewish communities.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has repeatedly vowed to catch offenders behind the escalating incidents that include graffiti, firebombs and most recently a thwarted terror plot targeting the Great Synagogue and the Jewish Museum both in central Sydney.
The government will introduce on Thursday a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a proposed maximum penalty of two years behind bars.
It will also put forward a new offence in section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900 directed at the display of a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue.
That will also carry an increased maximum penalty of up to two years in jail.
The Graffiti Control Act (2008) will be amended to create an aggravated offence for graffiti on a place of worship.
Additionally, a new offence in the Crimes Act (1900) will be legislated to stop people from intentionally blocking, harassing, intimidating or threatening worshippers from accessing their local synagogue, church or mosque.
"These are strong new laws and they need to be because these attacks have to stop. These acts designed to intimidate and divide will not work," the premier said.
"These laws have been drafted in response to the horrifying anti-Semitic violence in our community but it's important to note that they will apply to anyone, preying on any person, of any religion," said the premier.
"If you commit these acts, you will face severe penalties, and we make no apologies for that."
The police force will receive $525,000 after beefing up its patrols for synagogues and schools, and another $500,000 will go towards social cohesion grants.
The changes come despite a November review of the state's hate crimes that recommended not broadening section 93Z of the Crimes Act or introducing other offences to curb public incitement of hatred.
Like NSW, most Australian state and territory laws policing the inciting of hatred require proof that the offender threatened or incited physical harm to people or property.
Since December, a synagogue has been firebombed, multiple cars torched and swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans scrawled on vehicles and buildings in areas with large Jewish communities.
Last week, it was revealed a caravan previously found on Sydney's northwest outskirts contained explosive material and addresses of Jewish targets.
The foiled terror plot has placed pressure on the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to disclose details of what they were briefed on.
The Australian Federal Police is investigating whether overseas actors paid local criminals to carry out some of the anti-Semitic attacks.
