Congregation ‘exhausted’ after pro-Iranian vandals again target synagogue

Melbourne Hebrew Congregation will ‘continue to ramp up security’ after pro-Iranian vandals targeted the historic synagogue twice in 24 hours.

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A Melbourne synagogue has been defaced for the second time in 24 hours with pro-Palestine graffiti.

The Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Toorak Road at South Yarra was first targeted on Sunday afternoon in an attack described as “un-Australian” by Rabbi Shlomo Nathanson.

The vandals used red paint to illustrate a large mushroom cloud containing the words “Iran Is Da Bomb” across the face of the synagogue’s facade, while a second tag nearby read “Free Palestine”.

Graffiti on Sunday at Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Picture: Supplied

Police were called immediately upon the discovery, but brazen vandals returned later that night to sprawl another “Free Palestine” tag across the building’s side.

Mr Nathanson said the fact the offenders struck twice shows “they obviously have no fear of consequences”.

“Their hate is deep and obviously a big part of their reality when they are so brazen that they can do the first incident in broad daylight and the second one just hours later,” he added.

Vandals returned later in the night and tagged the building’s side. Picture: Supplied

The incidents are the latest in a series of attacks faced by the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation amid a rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes since the October 7 attacks in 2023.

In recent months, the congregation endured a slew of threats through its email and phone lines, as well as other incidents of vandalism throughout the year.

“With the news from Iran, you can appreciate the tension around right now, but to find that sort of rhetoric and hatred on the walls of a synagogue is just un-Australian. Opinions about geopolitical decisions are going to be different, but they need not play out like this,” Mr Nathanson said.

Asked if he had a message for the offenders, Mr Nathanson said: “Hateful messages toward minority groups are not how you settle your argument. We just hope people will see this and say this is not the Australia that I want to live in.”

Speaking about the incident on Monday morning, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the attacks as “disgraceful and senseless”.

“I think it’s an important and timely moment to reflect that we must never let hatred and conflict from overseas come to our streets and suburbs here in Melbourne,” she added.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, centre, said the attacks were ‘disgraceful and senseless’. Picture: Valeriu Campan / NewsWire

Prahran MP Rachel Westaway also described the attack as “outrageous”.

“I’m so disappointed and I don’t think that graffiti represents the Australian community, and I don’t like it in my electorate,” she said. “While I’m so dismayed by the attacks overseas and the people who are dying, I do not believe that these conflicts should be brought into our community.”

Mr Nathanson confirmed the congregation’s security committee will “continue to ramp up security ... to ensure members are protected”.

Asked if the government was doing enough to protect the Jewish community, opposition leader Brad Battin said: “The Labor government isn’t doing enough to protect anyone in Victoria. When you’ve got 1100 vacancies on the roster, and you’re cutting budget to Victoria Police, we need to make sure Victoria Police are available to respond as soon as incidents like this happen.”

A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said: “There is absolutely no place at all in our society for anti-Semitism or hate-based symbols and behaviour.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.”