TA: Community and political leaders are calling for calm after a Sydney synagogue was targeted in an attack believed to be tied to the escalating war between Israel and Lebanon.Projectiles were hurled at the roof of the Parramatta Synagogue, in Sydney’s west, on Monday night and blocks of concrete were thrown at two cars, smashing windows.

NSW Police have responded by stepping up patrols of Jewish and Islamic sites as the crisis in the Middle East deepens.

Officers are searching for 10 men of Middle Eastern appearance seen laughing and running from the Mason Street synagogue after it was attacked about 9pm (AEST).

Rabbi Yosef Wernick, 32, and his young family were inside a house adjoining the synagogue when it was targeted.

He said the conflict between Israel and Lebanon may have been a trigger for the attack on the synagogue, which was firebombed a few years ago.

“It is always in the back of your mind, but on the one hand you don’t really think that something that is happening in Lebanon will affect a synagogue in Parramatta,” he said outside his vandalised home.

“I don’t see how people could link something that is going on the other side of the world to a small family synagogue…

“I feel a little sorry for them, that they think that is an appropriate action.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff said there had been a rise in incidents of anti-Semitism since the escalation of the Middle East conflict.

Earlier this month, thugs vandalised a synagogue in Coogee and desecrated its torah scrolls, while on Saturday night a window was smashed at a mosque in Arncliffe.

“There’s been an increase in expressions of anti-Semitism in the form of anti-Semitic graffiti, emails and abusive phone calls, and also the incident at the Parramatta Synagogue,” Mr Alhadeff said.

He called on those with strong opposition to the events in the Middle East not to bring the conflict to Australia.

“We feel very strongly that no mosque, church or synagogue anywhere should be attacked and it is of great concern when there are elements within our society who choose to bring the issues of the Middle East into the streets of Australia.”

NSW Police Acting Inspector Col Green said there were strategies in place to prevent further attacks on places of worship.

“With the heightened political and racial tensions, police are aware that these things may occur,” he told reporters.

“We have put in place strategies to prevent that and to investigate the incidents that do occur.”

The attack on the synagogue occurred just a few hours after Israel’s strike on the Lebanese village of Qana, which killed more than 50 civilians including dozens of children.

The Mufti of Australia Sheikh Taj Aldin Alhilali said those responsible for the synagogue attack were not religious people.

“This is a very bad action. I condemn any terrorism attack. Australia is the land of peace,” he said.

NSW Premier Morris Iemma said such attacks would not be tolerated.

“We will deal severely with anyone who attempts to take matters into their own hands by attacking places of worship,” Mr Iemma said.

“The tragic events that are taking place in the Middle East are not a reason for people to take the law into their own hands in this city.”

Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW chairman Stepan Kerkyasharian said he feared “ratbag or extremist groups” might exploit tensions in Australia “to pursue their ideas of hatred”.

The Islamic Council of NSW said it was appalled at the attack on the synagogue.

“We are grateful that Rabbi Wernick and his young family escaped unharmed,” council chairman Kemal Ismen said.

“Such an attack is utterly un-Australian.”