An arson attack on a private home flying the Palestinian flag took place in inner-city Chippendale during the first two weeks of January.
The residents were away on holiday and only discovered the flag had been burnt when they returned.
“The large Palestinian flag we have had flying from the upper balcony of our home for more than two years was intentionally burnt, in an obvious politically motivated hate crime,” one of the residents told Green Left.
“This hate crime could easily have had tragic consequences — the house could have caught fire while we were asleep,” they said.
“It’s happened as politicians clamour for strong action against hate speech. But this crime should draw attention to the serious rise in anti-Palestinian racism and anti-Islamic attacks of various kinds.”