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Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra attacked for fourth time in five weeks

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, which serves the city’s oldest Jewish congregation, has again been defaced in the latest anti-Semitic attack to hit the city.

A Melbourne heritage-listed synagogue has been targeted by vandals for the fourth time in five weeks.

Staff at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra were forced to call the police yet again on Thursday morning after vandals hit the place of worship overnight Wednesday, scrawling “war crimes” written with a Star of David across the front of the shule.

The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation has been attacked for a fourth time in five weeks. Picture: Supplied
The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation has been attacked for a fourth time in five weeks. Picture: Supplied

Victoria Police are investigating whether the graffiti attack is linked to another recent graffiti attack on the same synagogue on July 22.

Last month, “Free Palestine” was also written across the synagogue, affectionately known as Toorak shule, in blue spray paint.

It was the second attack in less than 24 hours, with the Toorak Rd synagogue having been plastered with red graffiti that read: “Free Palestine” and “Iran is da bomb”.

The congregation’s rabbi, Shlomo Nathanson, at the time labelled the attacks “un-Australian”.

“We’re just frustrated and exhausted by all of this and we hope that is shared by members outside Jewish community,” he had told the Herald Sun.

The synagogue was targeted twice in less than 24 hours in June. Picture: Supplied
The synagogue was targeted twice in less than 24 hours in June. Picture: Supplied
Religious leaders have condemned the attacks. Picture: David Crosling
Religious leaders have condemned the attacks. Picture: David Crosling

It comes amid another wave of anti-Semitism, with anti-Israel extremists targeting Jewish philanthropists at a protest at the National Gallery of Victoria over the weekend.

On Thursday, police told the Herald Sun detectives at Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit were investigating criminal damage at a synagogue in South Yarra.

“It is understood an offender graffitied the front of the premises on Toorak Rd at approximately 8.30pm,” they said.

“No arrests have been made at this stage.

“Detectives are investigating whether this incident is linked to any others, including graffiti on the same synagogue on 22 July.

“There have been no other reported incidents overnight.”

Originally published as Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra attacked for fourth time in five weeks

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-hebrew-congregation-in-south-yarra-attacked-for-fourth-time-in-five-weeks/news-story/f88daa6e14efb74046aec295456614e3