Townsville shopkeeper’s vile outburst at Israeli tourists

A shopkeeper’s extraordinary outburst at two youngsters in Queensland has been caught on camera and slammed as “horrifying”.

The Anti-Defamation Commission has condemned a video showing a shocking anti-Semitic outburst by a Queensland shopkeeper towards two Israeli backpackers.

Footage shows the woman, who is unidentified, swearing at one of the young tourists outside of a shop in Townsville on Saturday night.

The tourists, aged in their early 20s, had been browsing when they spotted a donation sign for Palestine displayed near the counter.

The shopkeeper allegedly became enraged when the tourists recommended she verify where the donations were being directed.

“Get the f**k out of my store!” the shopkeeper allegedly yelled at the tourists.

It’s alleged she then grabbed a shovel and came towards the duo while yelling.

“I don’t give a f**k about Israel but I do care about the fact that you’re a dirty fithy f**king Jew,” the woman, who was dressed in black, said while holding the shovel, as shown in video footage taken by one of the tourists.

“You wanna listen to what I have to say?” the tourist, dressed in a brown top and pants, asked calmly.

“No. F**k off,” she responded.

“I said check what you say,” the tourist continued.

The woman then repeated “f*** off” two more times.

The Anti-Defamation Commission has condemned the shopkeeper’s tirade, saying it’s shocking to see this happening in Australia.

“This is a scene ripped straight from the darkest pages of history – a venomous and shameful outburst dripping with hatred,” said Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the body.

“Two young Israelis, eager to embrace the adventure and warmth Australia is known for, instead found themselves thrust into a nightmare they could never have imagined. Confronted by raw, unfiltered anti-Semitism, their very existence was attacked, reduced to vile slurs.

“This isn’t some distant, faraway tale – it’s Townsville, 2024, the heart of a state and nation that pride themselves on inclusion. And yet, here we are, staring into the abyss of unchecked exclusion.”

A female shopkeeper's anti-Semitic rant has been caught on camera. Picture: Supplied

She was seen holding a shovel. Picture: Supplied

Dr Abramovich called the situation a “national crisis” and said the incident casts a dark shadow over Australia’s global image.

“This horrifying episode sends a brutal message to Jewish Australians and international visitors alike: that they are not safe in our country. What does it say about us when backpackers, far from home, must fear for their lives because of their identity?

“What does it say about Australia’s reputation when such behaviour is allowed to explode unchecked?”

He said the tourists would have felt “fear and humiliation” during the incident, and that it needed to be dealt with seriously.

“This incident is not an isolated flash of hatred. It is part of a much larger, deeply disturbing trend. Anti-Semitism is creeping into the everyday fabric of our society, eroding the very principles we claim to hold dear. And each time these acts go unpunished, they feed into a culture of impunity, encouraging others to follow suit,” he said.

“Australia is at a crossroads. Will we let this cancer of hatred define who we are, or will we rise up and reclaim our values of decency, safety, and inclusion?”

It comes just days after a car was set on fire on Wellington St in Woollahra in an anti-Israel attack.

While Fire and Rescue NSW was able to extinguish the fire, police found up to a dozen cars graffitied with anti-Israel messages.

Cars were covered in white spray paint that read “f**k Israel”, while at least three premises were also targeted.