Aliza’s Place Cafe targeted twice by anti-Semitic vandals in one week

Heartless anti-Semitic vandals have doubled down in a shocking repeat attack on a Melbourne cafe owned by the descendant of Holocaust survivors — the second time the eatery was sprayed with neo-Nazi graffiti this week.

Aliza Shuvaly’s cafe has been defaced with vile graffiti the second time in a week. Picture: David Crosling

A Melbourne cafe owned by a woman descended from Holocaust survivors has again been targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Twice this week Brighton East woman Aliza Shuvaly has arrived her Chadstone cafe to find shocking Holocaust-denying words and swastikas painted on her fence.

When she arrived to open the cafe about 7.30 this morning, she was dismayed to find the vandals had returned overnight following their Thursday hit.

“The Holocaust didn’t happen but it should have,” the latest graffiti read.

It was accompanied by a large, blue swastika.

The graffiti on cafe owner Aliza Shuvaly’s business on Thursday. Picture: Tony Gough

After the first incident, in which someone wrote “the Holocaust is a lie” on the fence, the hardworking mother and restaurateur was shocked and saddened.

At the time, she said: “My heart feels like it’s running too fast and I am shaking.

“I thought, ‘this can’t happen here’. I’m scared even to say that it happened to me … Am I a target now?”

But the outpouring of love and support kind strangers and community members buoyed her spirit and filled her with hope.

“The love that we received from the neighbours and people we have never even met just goes to show how wonderful we are as an Australian community,” she told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“We are a strong, united nation. We are stronger than before.

“I am making my food with love for people who want to see a better future here.”

The owners have worked tirelessly to make sure the cafe is a welcoming place for all.

Despite her strong resolve, the saga has taken a toll on the owner of Aliza’s Place Cafe on Batesford Rd.

She saw the latest attack as a threat and said the hardest part was telling her 95-year-old mother in law, who survived the Holocaust.

“It is hurting my feelings,” she said. “She was just crying for what I have been through. That’s breaking my heart.”

The attacks were labelled “unacceptable and un-Australian” by the Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission.

“I understand why some Jews in Melbourne feel under siege,” Dr Dvir Abramovich said.

“We will never cower or stop speaking out in the face of such intimidation, because the only antidote to this poison is unity, resolve and strength.

Dvir Abramovich from the Anti-Defamation Commission. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian

“These kinds of unconscionable incidents cannot become the new normal, and we must send the powerful message that Aliza is not alone.

“I urgently call on the state government to intensify and heighten the fight against this escalating crisis.”

Police are investigating the incidents.

“Every Victorian has the right to feel safe and secure in the community and in practising their faith, pursuing their values, beliefs and interests,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

“Victoria Police does not tolerate violence and takes all crime seriously, including that which is motivated by prejudice, racism or discrimination.”

Police are investigating the incidents and urge anyone who witnessed them or knows anything to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Aliza’s Place Cafe targeted twice by anti-Semitic vandals in one week