Another antisemitic arson attack in Melbourne
The Melbourne Jewish community has been targeted in another antisemitic arson attack, with a billboard promoting an event featuring United Hatzalah firebombed.
The billboard set alight in Melbourne
The attack comes amid heightened concern following a series of fire-related incidents targeting Jewish symbols and institutions in Melbourne. In December, a rabbi’s car displaying a Chanukah sign was firebombed in St Kilda East, forcing a family to flee their home. The community is also still recovering from the December 2024 firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, which authorities later treated as a terrorist attack.
The latest incident follows an arson attack in Golders Green in London less than two months ago, in which four Hatzolah ambulances were destroyed.
Rabbi Daniel Rabin, whose Caulfield Hebrew Congregation is a partner in the upcoming event, said the attack was deeply troubling.
Rabbi Daniel Rabin
“It is upsetting. And it is a reminder of the kind of hatred and intimidation that too many in our community are now forced to confront far too often,” he said.
“But what stands out to me most is that the billboard was not promoting violence, politics, or division.
“It was promoting an organisation whose volunteers save lives. All lives, whoever needs help.”
United Hatzalah provides rapid emergency medical response through a network of volunteers using specially equipped motorcycle ambulances, enabling fast treatment that can significantly improve survival rates. The organisation treats thousands of people each year across Israel, with an average response time of around three minutes.
Dr Danny Lamm, a board member of United Hatzalah Australia, said the attack reflected the hostility facing the community.
Dr Danny Lamm
“Defacing a billboard for the most inclusive of all organisations is indicative of the hate this community faces,” he said.
“This is typical antisemitic behaviour, typical of what has been going on. I’ve never seen anything like this happen before. There have been a lot of signs for Jewish organisations and activities for years, and nothing like this has happened.”
Dr Lamm noted that United Hatzalah’s more than 8,000 volunteers reflect the diversity of Israeli society, including Jewish, Muslim and Christian men and women, and serve anyone in need.
“United Hatzalah has amongst its over 8000 volunteers the broadest spread of Israel’s citizens, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, male and female, servicing any person in trouble. Not only in Israel but worldwide, including in Australia, where earlier this year United Hatzalah dispatched a psychotrauma unit to assist victims of the Bondi terror attack.”
“We have to respond every single time. There used to be this attitude to give up, not to give oxygen to provocative things. I think, on the contrary, we have to respond every single time. We don’t tolerate it, and we don’t allow other people to just ignore it and tolerate it also.”
Rabbi Rabin called on the community to respond by supporting the event.
“Support organisations that save lives. Donate blood, volunteer or reach out to someone struggling,” he said.
“To those who try to intimidate the Jewish community or silence support for Israel through fear or destruction, know that you will only strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts to bring more goodness into the world.”
Victoria Police are investigating the incident.
