Ute attempts to drive into Jewish children
Victoria Police looking for two offenders who shouted Nazi slogan.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the antisemitic attack in Ripponlea on Monday night, where a group of teenage Jewish boys were physically and verbally threatened by two young men in a vehicle.
“The antisemitic hate incident last night in St Kilda targeting young Jewish boys has no place in our country. This would have been a terrifying ordeal for these young Australians, targeted for their Jewish faith.
“At a time when Australians are joining with the Jewish community in sorrow and solidarity, it is beyond disgusting to see these cowards shouting Nazi slogans at young people. Victorian Police are investigating and I want to see the perpetrators face the full force of the law,” Albanese said.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) stated, “The boys, who were outside a Jewish community and education centre, reported that the individuals in the car performed Nazi salutes, shouted Nazi slogans and followed them as they tried to reach a safe place.”
Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich wrote that the Jewish boys “were chased by a white ute and almost mowed down while its occupants reportedly screamed ‘Heil Hitler.’” Video of the incident is circulating online.
Victoria Police are investigating. Detectives from the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit told The AJN, “Police have been told a group of up to five boys were on Glen Eira Road about 9.50pm when a white ute drove past. It’s alleged the occupants of the vehicle yelled antisemitic abuse and then stopped a short distance away. The victims ran across the road and the ute subsequently performed a U-turn and drove towards the victims. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the vehicle drove from the scene.”
The detectives said they had identified two persons of interest and were investigating, and that the offenders were likely linked to a series of offences in the area including aggravated burglaries and vehicle theft.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Acting Commander of Southern Metropolitan Region Adrian Healy said the vehicle was stolen in Victoria and has NSW registration.
Healy said it was “an absolute disgraceful event, and we’re certainly throwing everything we can at this to catch the offenders as soon as possible.”
Asked if police will increase their presence in Jewish neighbourhoods, he said that police continue to patrol the area and have done so since Operation Park was initiated in October 2023.
“We have a very robust operation called Operation Park, which has been in operation since October 2023 and as a result of that operation, we have numerous vehicles everyday patrolling places of interest around this area [St Kilda] and Ripponlea area. Since that time, we’ve conducted over 10,000 patrols of those addresses, 13,000 patrols of areas of significance, and as a result of Operation Park, we’ve also arrested 265 people for antisemitic commentary or behaviour,” Healy said.
The JCCV stated that the perpetrators “must be arrested and face the new, stronger anti-vilification laws.” Adding, “This attack took place just metres from the Adass Israel Synagogue, the site of an Iran-sponsored terror attack on Jewish Victorians in 2024.”
Abramovich described the incident to The Herald Sun as an example of “attempted terror”, “A vehicle turned into a weapon. Children turned into prey,” he said.
“If Jewish teenagers can be hunted in the open, metres from a synagogue that was firebombed last year, then something in this country has already snapped. “No parent should have to wonder whether their child will make it home because of who they are. “If we don’t crush this ticking time bomb now, the next chase won’t end with boys escaping.”
Caulfield MP David Southwick posted, “This is Melbourne, not Nazi Germany. Antisemitism is escalating in Victoria because this Government has been too weak for too long. Those who are responsible must be caught and locked up. This will not stop unless there are real consequences for this who choose to peddle hate. We have these hate laws, why aren’t they being used. Enough talk.”
The Community Security Group (CSG) Victoria said it responded to the incident with Victoria Police, stating: “CSG mobile units remained active at key sites to ensure the vehicle did not return. We continue to monitor the situation and are liaising with law enforcement.”
The CSG asked the community to report suspicious behaviours including: remaining near a facility for an extended period without clear reason; paying close attention to a community facility without real reason; photographing or filming community facilities or community members; and verbal abuse, threatening remarks/actions or intimidation.
The police investigation is ongoing, and anyone with CCTV or dash-cam footage of the incident or the vehicle in the area is urged to come forward.
Contact:
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
CSG: JEAP app or call its 24/7 emergency hotline 1300 000 274