Melbourne Jewish business targeted

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A well-known Jewish-owned business in Melbourne has been targeted by an antisemitic graffiti attack.

Nazi symbols, a swastika and most disturbingly the words “Gas the Jews” were spray-painted on a fence alongside the building.

The attack was made all the worse because the business, Gottlieb’s Builders’ Supplies had been founded by Holocaust survivors. The Malvern East business with prominent signage had recently closed down, but the targeting of Gottlieb’s was unlikely to have been an accident.

Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) president Jeremy Leibler told J-Wire, ““I have known this family my whole life. The founders were Holocaust survivors who came here with nothing and built a business that supported their family and made a profound contribution to the Victorian building industry. They believed in Australia. They were grateful for the refuge this country gave them. And yet, in 2025, their grandchildren now stand in front of that same building defaced with the words ‘Gas the Jews.’”

“The Holocaust did not end antisemitism. It simply drove it underground for a time. Now it is out in the open, on our streets, in our schools, on our buildings. If Australia was once a safe haven for those fleeing hatred, what is it becoming now? Silence in the face of this is complicity.”

This attack is part of a continued rise of antisemitic incidents in Australia since the horrors of 7 October 2023.

Victoria police told J-Wire, “Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating antisemitic graffiti in Malvern East. It is believed that the roller door of a business on Dandenong Road was offensively graffitied sometime during 15 and 16 February.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation. There is absolutely no place at all in our society for antisemitic or hate-based symbols and behaviour.”

Anyone with information that could assist Victoria Police are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.