Jewish teen punched at Victorian Scouts Camp

The Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has condemned an incident in which 18-year-old Jewish teenager Joshua Levy was punched in the face on a Scouts Camp in Victoria on Saturday, after being first verbally targeted over wearing a yarmulke and an Israeli flag.

According to the ADC, “While walking with a friend draped with an Israeli flag after getting milkshake at around 2pm on Saturday, the teenager was confronted at a crossroad by another scout member, aged 16 to 17 whom he had never seen before. The young man aggressively demanded to know why Joshua was wearing ‘that flag.’

“When Joshua responded that he supports Israel, the male accused Israel of ‘murdering children.’ Joshua attempted to de-escalate the exchange, saying it was a war with casualties and that he was happy to speak later, but needed to return to camp. As he walked away, the man screamed “f*** you” and made obscene gestures toward him.

“Hours later, at around 9:30, at a crowded camp event attended by approximately 300 people, the same individual approached Joshua from behind.

“Feeling a tap on his shoulder and believing it was one of his friends, Joshua turned around and was immediately punched to the left side of his nose. He was struck again in the left cheek. Joshua attempted to create space and defend himself, but the attacker remained on his feet and continued the assault, striking Joshua a third time in the same area.”