Australian PM condemns Melbourne antisemitic attack as calls grow to outlaw ‘globalise the intifada’
Jewish teens flee alleged Nazi abuse in Melbourne as Australia moves towards banning slogans Jewish groups say incite violence
Five Jewish teenagers were forced to “run for their lives” after alleged Nazi slogans were shouted at them in Melbourne, as Australia’s prime minister condemned the incident and pressure intensified to outlaw protest chants Jewish groups say incite violence.
Victoria Police said the boys, aged 15 and 16, had finished evening studies and were walking home in St Kilda East on Monday night when a white ute, later confirmed stolen, drove past and allegedly yelled antisemitic abuse.
Acting commander Adrian Healy said the vehicle then pulled over, performed a U-turn and “deliberately drove at them” as the boys crossed the road, before running a red light and “scouring the area, continuing to look for them”.
No one was injured, but police said the ute remained nearby for several minutes before leaving. Two male persons of interest have been identified, and detectives are investigating whether the suspects are linked to other offences in the area, including aggravated burglaries and vehicle theft.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the alleged attack as an “antisemitic hate incident” that “has no place in our country”, saying it would have been a “terrifying ordeal” for the boys to be targeted for their Jewish faith.
“At a time when Australians are joining with the Jewish community in sorrow and solidarity, it is beyond disgusting to see these cowards shouting Nazi slogans at young people,“ Albanese said. “I want to see the perpetrators face the full force of the law.”
The father of one of the boys, Adass community leader Chayim Klein, said the teenagers were “resilient” but shaken by what had happened.
“They were just coming out of school when the white ute was circling, screaming antisemitic abuse at them,” he said, adding that the alleged perpetrators performed a Nazi salute.
“They are the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors… but they literally ran for their lives.”
Victoria premier Jacinta Allan said antisemitic behaviour “has absolutely no place here in Victoria” and stressed that Nazi salutes are banned under state law. “That salute is banned here in Victoria; you can be prosecuted for that, and Victoria police will be investigating,” she said.
The incident occurred close to the Adass Israel synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors, which was itself targeted in an arson attack in December 2024.
As the Melbourne investigation continued, debate intensified in neighbouring New South Wales over whether to criminalise protest slogans widely heard since 7 October 2023.
Edmond Atalla, chair of a NSW parliamentary inquiry into hate speech, said he would recommend banning the phrase “globalise the intifada”, describing such a move as “not unreasonable”. He said: “I speak Arabic and I know exactly what the word means and its historical significance.”
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies has urged lawmakers to go further, calling for phrases including “globalise the intifada”, “from the river to the sea” and “death to the IDF” to be prohibited, arguing they are “so inherently hateful in that they call for violence, ethnic cleansing or death”.
American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Jewish leaders say the Melbourne attack underlines why action is urgent. Naomi Levin, CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, called the incident a “disgraceful, antisemitic attack” and said the perpetrators “must be arrested and face the new, stronger Victorian anti-vilification laws”.
Police are urging anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the Melbourne incident to contact Crime Stoppers, as Jewish communities across Australia warn that hatred once confined to slogans is increasingly spilling onto the streets.
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