‘Genocide’ stickers slapped on dips at Maroubra Coles sparks investigation

An investigation is under way after “genocide” stickers were slapped on dips at a Sydney supermarket.

Jewish groups have described as “alarming” a tampering ­incident at a Coles super­market where stickers were placed on food made by a part-Israeli-owned company stating that buying the products “supports genocide”.

A Jewish woman found the stickers on packets of Obela dip while shopping yesterday and reported it to the store.

The stickers included a QR code leading to a website which calls for a boycott and sanctions campaign against Israel.

Some online groups have also been trying to promote a boycott of Obela dips and Red Rock Deli chips, which are part-owned by the Israeli food company Strauss Group.

The stickers were placed on Obela dips at Coels Maroubra.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin condemned the incident.

“Those tampering with goods and inciting hatred must face the same shame and exclusion as neo-Nazis would because this is exactly what these people are,” he said.

“Boycotts of Jewish businesses in the 1930s were framed as a righteous act necessary to protect the public from Jewish evil.

“Pro-Palestinian activists claim the same moral high ground even while replicating the tactics of the genocidal Nazi regime.

“I hope this alarming incident also causes those in the media and government who indulged obscene claims of genocide to reflect on the harm their words and actions contributed to and the impact on Jewish Australians who are already fearful for our safety and future in this country.”

Coles have launched an investigation over the incident.

Coles said it was now investigating.

It follows a spate of anti-Semitic incidents since the Hamas massacre of Israeli citizens on October 7, including posters of the kidnapped being torn down and new revelations by Sky News host Sharri Markson that the NSW Teachers Federation is supporting a move for school teachers to wear the Palestinian Keffiyeh into public school classrooms in a show of support with Palestinians.

A group called the Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Group made a post earlier this week stating: “From today, teachers can proudly and safely wear Keffiyeh to work with backing of the NSW Teachers Federation.

“Our week of action has been extended for a week, please take photos at work teachers wearing Keffiyeh or with signs calling to end the siege and bombing of Gaza and send to us. If any principal tries to stop you, get the NSWTF to speak to your principal.”

Ms Markson blasted the support as “pure anti-Semitism” from public school teachers.

“It would unquestionably make Jewish children in public classrooms feel unsafe, threatened, alienated and bullied,” she said.

“This is disgusting bullying from teachers; this is racism from teachers against Jewish students.”