Outrage over Hyundai owner’s anti-Semitic HAILSS number plates

Number plates with apparent links to the dreaded Nazi SS have been slammed by Jewish groups after the car was spotted in suburban Melbourne.

These number plates have sparked outrage among the Jewish community and a complaint to VicRoads. Picture: Supplied

VicRoads has come under fire for approving a set of “triggering” and “anti-Semitic” number plates.

The personalised plates, ‘HAILSS’, have been labelled “disgusting” by members of the Jewish community for their apparent links to the Schutzstaffel (SS) — the organisation responsible for the genocide of millions of people during the Holocaust.

The plates, belonging to a white Hyundai, were registered in March last year.

A woman, who did not want to be named, said the number plates were “terrible and triggering”.

She has lodged a complaint with VicRoads.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich called on the state roads authority to immediately revoke any licence plates containing anti-Semitic or racist acronyms or terms.

“People should not have the right to put anything they want on their car,” he said.

“At a time when anti-Semitism has been making headlines across the country and we are seeing a dangerous surge of unabashed white supremacists who are determined to push their vile and dark agenda into the real world, this is the last thing we need.

“We can’t afford to be asleep at the wheel and permit heinous words that incite violence and glorify bigotry to appear on our cars.”

In a post on Dr Abramovich’s Facebook page, another woman reported seeing a car with ‘N4ZISS’ number plates, however a check of VicRoads’ database revealed the plates were not registered.

While the ‘HAILSS’ plates have been called “filthy” and angered many people, some believed it could be an innocent mistake.

The Leader is not suggesting the owner of the Hyundai intended the plates to be anti-Semitic.

“I think this one is most probably innocent and (the car) belongs to a Hailey,” Len Halprin wrote.

Jonathan Lipshut wrote: “it would be more sinister if it was ‘HEILSS’. I also don’t think a rough ‘n tough right wing activist would drive a white Hyundai”.

Meanwhile, while VicRoads’ custom plates website will not accept some words or phrases such as ‘NAZI’ and ‘N**GER’ to be created, it will allow similar terms including ‘N4ZI’, ‘KIKE’ (a derogatory term for Jewish people) and ‘NIGG4’.

While the plates will not necessarily be approved or issued by VicRoads, Dr Abramovich said such combinations shouldn’t be allowed past the first stage at all.

The website says VicRoads can recall plates if they deem them to be contain “inappropriate language, racial, religious, sexual, physical or mental health references”.

Dr Abramovich called on VicRoads to show “zero tolerance for hate speech”.

“It beggars belief that VicRoads allows stomach-churning terms such as Nazi and Kike to be registered, which violates the core values of a respectful and inclusive state,” he said.

“This issue must be addressed whenever … it arises, especially when it concerns a government agency.”

A Transport Department spokesperson confirmed a complaint had been received and the number plates would likely be recalled.

A review identified the number plates were a reference to the customer’s name but the Department acknowledged “it could be interpreted at offensive”.

“VicRoads receives tens of thousands of new number plate applications each year and we make every effort to prevent offensive or inappropriate plates being issued,” the spokesman said.

“We reserve the right to recall number plates that are deemed offensive, disrespectful to the law or are inappropriate for display.”