A vehicle adorned with Hanukkah decorations was deliberately set alight in Melbourne on Christmas Day, in what authorities are treating as a suspected antisemitic attack. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local Jewish community, coming just days after the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack.
Attack in the Heart of the Community
The firebombing occurred in the early hours of December 25 in the suburb of St Kilda East. The targeted car, which had a 'Happy Chanukah' sign fixed to its roof, was parked in a residential driveway. The blaze was severe enough to force the occupants of the home, reported to be the family of a local rabbi, to evacuate as a safety precaution.
Rabbi Effy Block of the local Chabad confirmed the details to Agence France-Presse. "Thank God no people were harmed," he stated, before adding, "This is a continuing escalation, where we see these events happening again and again. My Jewish community in St Kilda and Melbourne do not feel safe in their own homes and country."
Political Condemnation and Community Fear
Local MP David Southwick strongly asserted that the location of the attack was not random. "Carlisle Street is our Bondi," he said, highlighting its proximity to a Jewish day school and the area known as Melbourne's 'Bagel Belt'. "The car that was targeted and the family that was targeted was a Jewish family with a Jewish symbol on the vehicle." Displaying such signs is a common practice during the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act as "just beyond comprehension", questioning what "evil ideology" could motivate such an attack. He linked the atmosphere to the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, where a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram, opened fire at a Hanukkah event, killing 15 people.
Mounting Pressure on Antisemitism
The firebombing has intensified scrutiny on Australia's response to rising antisemitism. Mr Albanese faced criticism and was booed at a recent memorial for the Bondi victims, with some community leaders accusing his government of inadequate action.
The context is one of sharply increasing hostility. According to Jillian Segal, Australia’s special envoy on antisemitism, the country saw a staggering 316 per cent rise in antisemitic cases in the year to October 2024. In response, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced plans to lower the legal threshold for prosecuting antisemitic behaviour and to consider 'incitement of hate' as grounds for visa cancellation.
Police are actively investigating the Melbourne firebombing and have appealed for a person who may assist their inquiries to come forward. The search for the perpetrator continues as a community grapples with fear during what should be a festive season.
