Sydney’s east again shaken by antisemitic crime
Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs were again shaken by an act of antisemitism when a car parked in Queens Park was vandalized with the graffiti “F*** the Jews.”
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The incident, discovered early Monday morning, has drawn widespread condemnation from Jewish community leaders, political figures, and local residents. The white vehicle belonging to Stuart Veron was targeted on Henry Street, a location close to the heart of Sydney’s Jewish population and several communal facilities.
Stuart Veron, who is not Jewish, expressed his outrage over the defacement of his vehicle in an interview with ABC News. Calling the act “madness” and “disgusting,” he said, “Whoever did this is a rat.” “There’s no place for this in our community or anywhere in Australia,” he remarked. The graffiti was initially reported to the police by Veron’s neighbour, Sharon Greenberg, a Jewish resident, who spoke to the ABC about the incident. Greenberg described the discovery as a visceral blow to the community. “It’s like a cricket bat hitting your head,” she said. “I felt it’s not a target of a particular person; it’s a target of our community.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident during a press conference, stating, “Antisemitism is a scourge, and any event such as this, targeting people because of who they are, is not the Australian values that I hold dear and the Australian values that are held dear by overwhelmingly Australians.” He emphasized that there is no tolerance for antisemitism in Australia and called for national unity in standing against such acts of hate.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has strongly condemned last night’s antisemitic graffiti attack in Queens Park, labelling it an “abhorrent act of vandalism” and declaring that such actions “will not be tolerated.” Minns expressed his horror at the incident, highlighting the alarming rise in antisemitic acts across Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “The steep rise in antisemitic incidents is deeply alarming,” he said. “Jewish people expect and deserve to feel safe in their own city.”
The Premier emphasised the NSW Government’s commitment to addressing this trend, citing increased resources for Operation Shelter, a dedicated police initiative aimed at safeguarding vulnerable communities. “As part of this ongoing operation, additional police have been tasked with high-visibility patrols and community engagement to keep communities safe,” Minns noted. Sending a firm warning to those responsible, he stated, “To whoever committed this act – you will be found, and you will face the full force of the law.”
David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, shared his dismay at the incident. “It is unacceptable that Jewish Australians and Australians of all backgrounds have had to wake up yet again to see messages of hate prominently displayed in their neighbourhoods,” he said. “It is intolerable that Australians are having to go to bed fearful that their cars or properties will be defaced overnight with antisemitic hate speech.” Ossip also warned against becoming desensitized to such incidents, urging society to take these acts of hate seriously to prevent their normalization.
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called the graffiti a “vile act”.
“It strikes at the heart of the inclusive and multicultural society we cherish in NSW,” he said in a statement.
Hate speech and intimidation are on the rise in Australia, triggered by the war in Gaza.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman in December said anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism against Arabs and Palestinians had dramatically increased.
He has called for a society-wide response to address the structural problems he says are allowing racism.
Alex Ryvchin, chair of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, expressed his deep concern over the growing trend of antisemitic acts in Sydney. “No one just vandalizes a car with a racist slogan. It is the product of endless incitement, demonization, and a belief that such attitudes are freely permitted, even celebrated,” he said. He also highlighted how these acts of hate target both the Jewish community and the broader society. “The racist targeting of Jews impacts wider society,” Ryvchin noted. “The escalation of vandalism and inaction from the authorities just emboldens the cowards.”
Local resident Michael Goldstein, who saw the vandalized car on his way to work, expressed his shock and frustration to The Daily Telegraph. “I was deeply saddened by the assault on the Jewish community,” he said. “One minute, the antisemitic vandals are targeting buildings, next they go for cars and bikes, soon it will be people. The escalation of vandalism and inaction from the authorities just emboldens the cowards. There is virtually no recourse or punishment for this conduct.”
Another resident, Yvonne Strasser, was brought to tears when she saw the graffiti. Speaking to ABC News, she said, “This is how it starts,” referring to the historical progression of antisemitism. “I’m actually shocked that it’s so antisemitic.”
The incident follows a troubling pattern in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Late last year, multiple buildings and cars were vandalized with anti-Israel slogans such as “Kill Israel” and “Death to Israel,” and a vehicle was set on fire. In November, two men were arrested and charged with over 20 offences connected to similar acts of vandalism, but such incidents have continued to unsettle the community. In December, several homes and properties were also marked with hateful graffiti, further intensifying fears of escalating antisemitism in the region.
NSW Police have launched an investigation into the latest act of vandalism, with forensic teams examining the car for evidence. Authorities believe the graffiti was applied between Sunday morning and early Monday. The police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
This incident has left the Jewish community on edge, with many calling for stronger actions to combat the rise of antisemitism. While community leaders and local authorities have pledged to address these issues, residents like Sharon Greenberg and Michael Goldstein remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of their neighbourhoods. “It’s not just about the graffiti,” Greenberg emphasized. “It’s about the message it sends—that hate is here, and it’s growing.”
