‘Happy Chanukah’ car targeted on Christmas morning
A car decorated with a ‘Happy Chanukah’ sign has been fire-bombed in Melbourne.
Fire-bombed car Pic. Facebook
The car was targeted at a home in Balaclava Road, East St Kilda, in the heart of the Melbourne Jewish community at around 3am on Christmas morning.
No one was injured in the attack, but the family was evacuated from their home for safety concerns.
Community members were expressing their dismay online at the continuation of antisemitic attacks, with many calling for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism, as called for in the wake of the mass murder at Bondi Beach.
Rabbi Daniel Rabin from Caulfield Hebrew Congregation said, “It is deeply distressing to see another Jewish symbol targeted so soon after everything our community has been through.
So many of us are still raw, still processing, still carrying the weight of recent days. To read news like this again is exhausting and frightening, and I know it will shake many people.
Please know you are not alone. Our community is holding one another tightly right now, and there are many good people beyond our community who genuinely care and stand with us.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Reach out if you need support. And if something feels off or concerning, please report it.
May we merit safer days, healing, and light that is not met with fear.”
Victoria Police are investigating. A VicPol spokesperson said, “Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a suspicious fire in St Kilda East on Thursday, 25 December.”
Detectives have identified a person who may be able to assist with their investigation. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”
The car has been reported to belong to a rabbi.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the media: “This is a time where the Jewish community needs and should receive the absolute support of every Australian. This is a very difficult period, just 11 days after what is Australia’s most serious terrorist attack, which was motivated by antisemitism and the evil ISIS ideology. We need to root out any evil that is antisemitism across the board. My Government’s committed to do that. I know that the Minns Government is committed to do that. And I think across the board, that’s what Australians want to see.”
