Jew-hatred on display in Sydney’s east
That clearly made it "another level of antisemitism", shocked Henry Street resident Sharon Greenberg told The AJN.
Residents in Sydney’s east woke up on January 6 to yet another antisemitic graffiti attack in the area – this time the words ‘F**K THE JEWS’ were sprayed in black on a white car parked on a street in Queens Park.
Two waves of previous similar incidents late last year on cars in nearby Woollahra featured scrawled messages of hatred against “Israel” and “Zionists”, but the latest antisemitic graffiti incident, on Henry Street, Queens Park, specifically included the word “Jews”.
That clearly made it “another level of antisemitism”, shocked Henry Street resident Sharon Greenberg told The AJN.
The vandalised vehicle had been parked overnight in front of her home, and she and her daughter spotted it when embarking on a morning walk at about 6:30am.
“We’d just reached the street, and suddenly my daughter stopped in her tracks – she completely froze – and said, look!” Greenberg said.
“Seeing that graffiti was like a cricket bat [blow] to your head – that’s what it felt like.
“We were in complete shock, and once we collected ourselves, we contacted police and CSG NSW, and police officers, two detectives, and a forensic investigator arrived soon after.
“We live on a quiet, leafy street at the top of Queens Park, and many of our neighbours – when they saw what had happened, came outside too, and were all very shocked.
“The young man who owns the [vandalised] car – who is not Jewish – he is very shaken.”
Greenberg hopes the investigation will find the culprit.
“I don’t think any particular person in our street was targeted, but [rather] it was probably that a white car parked under a street light was an opportunistic [target].
“So, to me, it’s not just about the location [of the incident], but the bigger context . . . following previous incidents in Woollahra.
“As a Jewish community, we have a very deep, triggered responses from our collective experience of persecution, so you just can’t help but be triggered by this.
“It’s really disturbing.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said, in a statement, “We are appalled and saddened at the antisemitic graffiti which was daubed on a private vehicle in Queens Park this morning”.
“It is unacceptable that Jewish Australians, and Australians of all backgrounds, have had to wake up yet again and see messages of hate prominently displayed in their neighbourhood.
“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.
“We cannot allow ourselves to become desensitised to acts of Jew-hatred and allow illegal conduct such as this to become normalised.
“Laws must be tightened to more effectively deal with hate speech and incitement to violence, and individuals who commit crimes must be identified, and face the full force of the law.”
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, commented that, yet again in Sydney, “Another suburb with a large Jewish community and multiple Jewish communal facilities” has been hit with antisemitic graffiti.
“No-one just vandalises a car with a racist slogan – it is the product of endless incitement, demonisation, and a belief that such attitudes are freely permitted, even celebrated,” Ryvchin said.
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh commented, “It is disturbing and shocking to see yet another example of brazen antisemitism targeting our local community”.
“Police are onsite, and investigating.
“At the end of 2024, I wrote to the Premier Chris Minns about the alarming rise of antisemitism, and how the various levels of government should work together to combat this scourge.”
Coogee MP Marjorie O’Neill said, “The perpetrators of this despicable incident must be caught and face the full extent of the law”.
“I proudly stand with the Jewish community, and give my full support to them during this difficult time.
“Antisemitism, racism and hate, in all forms, has no place in this community, or this country.”
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender said, “I’m absolutely appalled by yet another antisemitic attack on our community”.
“Antisemitic hate has no place in our society.
“We will be meeting with the NSW Police shortly, to discuss this incident, and what more needs to be done to protect Wentworth’s Jewish community.”
Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane said, “Here we go again – another disturbing vandalism attack”.
“I’ll be speaking with senior police today from Operation Shelter, for an update on this incident, and what’s being done more broadly.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was “horrified” by the Queens Park vandalism, describing it as “abhorrent” act that won’t be tolerated.
“The NSW Government is committed to blunting this appalling increase in hateful and violent acts against the Jewish community,” Minns said.
“Jewish people expect and deserve to feel safe in their own city.
“To whoever committed this act – you will be found, and you will face the full force of the law.”
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said, “Yet another vile act of antisemitism, and it strikes at the heart of the inclusive and multicultural society we cherish in NSW”.
“The Jewish community has every right to feel safe, as does every community in our state.”
As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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