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Man makes Nazi salute at mum and son in Caulfield street

A young mum has become the latest victim of “bone-chilling” anti-Semitism after a man greeted her with a Nazi salute as she walked down a Caulfield street with her son.

Anti-Semitism is ‘very much’ still here

A heavily tattooed man made a Nazi salute towards a young mum and her toddler in broad daylight in the Caulfield area in the latest public display of anti-Semitism.

The woman, who asked not to be named, was walking near a synagogue with her two-year-old son on Wednesday when a slim, white man with short hair and tattoos on his arm pulled up next to her in his car, stared at her and performed a “heil Hitler” salute.

The woman, 30, who asked not to be identified, said: “It was very upsetting and confronting considering the fact that me and my small son were standing extremely close to his car.

“It is hard to believe that this is happening in Melbourne, in the heart of the Jewish community.

“I am very scared.”

Anti Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich says some members of the Jewish community feel under siege. Picture: Tony Gough
Anti Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich says some members of the Jewish community feel under siege. Picture: Tony Gough

The brazen display of anti-Semitism came on the same day the Herald Sun revealed a group of neo-Nazis had openly celebrated Adolf Hitler’s birthday at a Bavarian beer hall in the Docklands.

Anti Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said some members of the Jewish community felt under siege.

“Another day, another horrifying outburst of bone-chilling hate, and although it may be an uncomfortable truth for some, anti-Semitism is becoming a fact of life in Victoria,” Dr Abramovich said.

“We know that threatening gestures can turn violent … Mothers walking with their children should feel secure ­attending a house of worship.”

The incident was not reported to police because the victim did not see the man’s vehicle registration and making a Nazi salute is not a criminal offence in Victoria.

Stricter state anti-vilification laws and laws banning the display of Nazi symbols are expected later this year.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/man-makes-nazi-salute-at-mum-and-son-in-caulfield-street/news-story/c066d05f14bd24aa52ae71c566a09e0e