Melbourne synagogue defaced for fourth time in five weeks
The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra has been vandalised for the fourth time in just over a month, in what Jewish leaders are calling a sustained campaign of antisemitic harassment.
In the latest incident, graffiti reading “war crimes” and a Star of David were sprayed across the front of the synagogue, known as Toorak Shule, sometime overnight on 30–31 July. It follows three earlier attacks in recent weeks, all involving similar antisemitic slogans and symbols.
In the first incident, on 26 June, offenders sprayed “baby killers” and other offensive phrases across the entrance of the synagogue. Less than two weeks later, new graffiti appeared on a nearby wall, again targeting the Jewish community with inflammatory language. A third act of vandalism occurred on 22 July, when more slurs were painted on the synagogue fence, reportedly visible to children attending a local Jewish day school.
Graffiti on Toorak Shule
No arrests have been made to date, but police have confirmed they are investigating the attacks as linked. Security footage from the surrounding area has been reviewed by investigators, and the incidents have been reported to the Community Security Group and Victoria Police’s Priority Communities Division.
Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson condemned the repeated targeting as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Jewish community. “These are not random acts. This is calculated. This is hate,” he said. “It’s disturbing and deeply upsetting for our congregation, particularly our children.”
The attacks come amid a broader spike in antisemitic activity in Melbourne. On 4 July, an attempted arson at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation endangered the lives of worshippers gathered inside. A 34-year-old man, Angelo Loras, has been charged over the incident. The same night, masked protesters stormed an Israeli-owned restaurant in the CBD, and a business in Greensborough was graffitied and firebombed.
In response, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced a new Anti-Hate Taskforce to coordinate efforts against rising hate crimes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also condemned the attacks, stating, “Antisemitism has no place in Australia.”
