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.”

Levy reported to scout leaders that he had been attacked for being Jewish. He required welfare support and first aid and was checked by a GP on site. Due to safety concerns, he was not permitted to move freely afterward for fear of further assault.

Victoria Police said the incident was reported to police on Sunday, and the 17-year-old had been interviewed and was expected to be summoned to appear before a children’s court.

“Investigators believe this was a targeted attack,” a police spokesman stated.

“Victoria Police understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened, and vulnerable.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated.”

Scouts Victoria stated the offending youth involved was immediately sent home. Scouts Victoria Executive Manager Jon McGregor said the person had also apologised in writing.

“The safety and wellbeing of all young people in our care is our highest priority. Scouts Victoria is an inclusive organisation that does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or violence,” he said.

“The matter has been reported to the authorities, and we are providing support to the young people involved and their families.”

Levy told the ADC he was “scared and sad that I’m not free to express my culture and religion freely.” He said that he “always heard about antisemitic attacks but never thought it would happen to me.” Joshua loves attending Scouts, but now questions whether it is safe to return “for fear of being assaulted again purely for being me.”

ADC Chair Dvir Abramovich strongly condemned the attack, drawing a connection to a broader pattern of antisemitic hostility in Australia.

“Bondi was supposed to be a wake-up call.  And now, months later, a Jewish teenager’s face becomes the landing pad for someone else’s hateful rage,” Abramovich said.

“We have reached a point where too many people in this county believe that anyone who is associated with Israel, who wears a yarmulke, who stands openly as a Jew, is fair game for violence or worse.”

He added, “A generation of Australians is being fed a steady diet of antisemitism. There is a straight line between the slogans and chants shouted in our streets demonising Jews, Israelis and Zionists as baby killers and evil, and the hand that decided it was acceptable to strike Joshua. When you saturate young minds such venom then don’t act surprised when someone eventually decides to play executioner.
Victoria Police must pursue this with the full weight of the law.”