Australian Jewish Association slams vet Antony Karolis over ‘vile’ social media comments

A prominent western Sydney vet has been slammed over a series of social media comments, which include references to Hitler and claims Israel was behind the September 11 terror attacks.

The picture of Antony Karolis used on the X account. Picture: X

A prominent western Sydney vet has been slammed over a series of social media comments, which include references to Hitler and claims Israel was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The Australian Jewish Association has described the comments as “vile”, saying “decent people” should “shun” anyone who agrees with the sentiment shared by X and Instagram account,s which purport to be those of WellPet Vets’ Nepean Animal Hospital founder Antony Karolis.

Dr Karolis is described on his clinic’s website as the chief executive and owner of WellPet Vets. His LinkedIn account states he has been a vet since 2001.

The comments posted on the X account, which include Dr Karolis’ name, photo and a link to his Regentville veterinary hospital, included claims Israel was behind the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States.

“Pretty sure it was the Israelis who hit America on 9/11,” one comment, posted on September 12, read.

Some of the tweets shared by the account purporting to be Dr Karolis. Picture: X

Another, on the same day, said: “It’s clear it was a Zionist project. So much evidence pointing to Israeli involvement. Compare and contrast the evidence supporting Israeli involvement compared to al-Qaeda.”

On Instagram, an account also purporting to be Dr Karolis, with his picture, name and the word “veterinarian” in the biography, commented on an Australian Jewish Association post that was captioned: “Labor’s thousands of imports from Gaza are going to blow up in their face.”

A comment left by an account purporting to be Penrith vet Antony Karolis on the Australian Jewish Association’s Instagram page. Picture: Supplied

The post shared a screenshot of a Daily Telegraph article, which revealed a Gaza artist had been granted an Australian visa despite associating with armed members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

In response, the account purporting to be Dr Karolis described members of the group, which is a designated terrorist organisation, as “resistance fighters”.

In other comments, the X account likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler and said the “world would be a safer place” if he were assassinated.

The X and Instagram accounts heavily feature content relating to the war in Gaza and the actions of Israel, which have been condemned by some organisations, including the United Nations, as war crimes.

Some of the tweets shared by an X account purporting to be Dr Karolis. Picture: X

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory called the social media comments “vile” and said they had “no place in Australia”.

“It’s shocking to see open support for a banned terrorist group,” he said.

“Anyone who compares Jews to Hitler, blames Jews for the September 11 attack and calls for the murder of Israel’s leader should be shunned by decent people.”

He said he was sure many people would feel uncomfortable taking their pets to Dr Karolis in light of the comments posted on social media.

“This racism and intolerance doesn’t belong in Australia and must be called out by the community,” he said.

Dr Karolis has been contacted for comment.