Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned a graffiti incident at a heritage-listed synagogue in Melbourne, labelling it as “senseless” and “disgraceful”. The graffiti, believed to have occurred yesterday afternoon, targeted the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in South Yarra, where messages promoting pro-Palestinian sentiments, such as “free Palestine” and “Iran is da bomb”, were sprayed in red and blue.
The vandalism was swiftly cleared by cleaners, but shortly after, the building was attacked once more, as confirmed by police. Premier Allan expressed her outrage at the acts of vandalism, asserting that there should be no tolerance for antisemitic or hateful actions in society. A spokesperson for Victoria Police echoed this sentiment, emphasising that such symbols and behaviours have no place in the community.
In the light of these events, Premier Allan underscored the importance of standing by all communities experiencing distress amid heightened tension due to ongoing conflicts between Israel and Iran. She stated, “This was a disgraceful senseless attack… We must never let, here in Melbourne and Victoria, conflict and violence and hatred overseas come to our streets and suburbs.”
The Premier’s remarks reflect a commitment to fostering unity and support for those affected by international turmoil, ensuring the values of tolerance and safety prevail in Victoria.