AUSTRALIAN police have launched an investigation into a suspected antisemitic incident after a car bearing a Hanukkah greeting was set on fire in Melbourne, deepening concerns over rising hate crimes against the Jewish community during the festive season.
The unoccupied vehicle, which had a “Happy Chanukah” sign fixed to its roof, was found scorched after being deliberately set alight in the early hours of Thursday in the suburb of St Kilda East, Victoria Police said, classifying the incident as a “suspicious fire”.
Images aired by national broadcaster ABC showed the burned-out car parked in a residential driveway.
As a precaution, occupants of the house were evacuated, though no injuries were reported.
“Detectives have identified a person who may be able to assist with their investigation and they are actively searching for and making enquiries into their whereabouts,” police said in a statement.
Community leaders were quick to condemn the attack. Rabbi Effy Block of Chabad of St Kilda said the incident was clearly motivated by antisemitism.
“Thank God no people were harmed,” he told AFP.
“But this is a continuing escalation, where we see these events happening again and again,” he said, adding: “My Jewish community in St Kilda and Melbourne do not feel safe in their own homes and country.”
The Melbourne fire occurred against the backdrop of heightened national anxiety following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, which left 15 people dead in what authorities have described as the country’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades.
The attack has prompted Australian authorities to move to stiffen laws and penalties for hate crimes, as well as tighten public gathering rules in Sydney under new legislation passed on Wednesday.
On Christmas Day, celebrations at Bondi Beach were notably subdued. Police patrolled the beachfront as hundreds of people, some wearing Santa hats, gathered under a heavy security presence.
Flags were flown at half-mast outside the heritage-listed Bondi Pavilion near the site of the attack.
“I think it’s tragic, and I think everybody respects and is very sad for what happened,” British tourist Mark Conroy told Reuters.
“People are here because it’s like a celebration but everybody has got it in their memories and everybody is respectful of what happened.”
“It’s not the best conditions for Christmas Day today, it’s a bit choppy, so not ideal, but people are still here,” said Surf Life Saving Patrol Captain Thomas Hough, as beachgoers posed for photos near a Christmas tree and with lifeguards despite windy conditions.
Police have said the Bondi attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son inspired by the militant group Islamic State, intensifying debate over extremism and public safety.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has faced growing criticism from political opponents over what they say is an inadequate response to a rise in antisemitism, condemned the Melbourne firebombing in strong terms.
“What sort of evil ideology and thoughts at a time like this would motivate someone?” he told reporters on Thursday, describing the incident as “just beyond comprehension.”
Since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023, Australia has seen a spate of attacks targeting synagogues, Jewish buildings and vehicles, fuelling fears within the Jewish community and placing pressure on authorities to take tougher action against hate-driven violence. - December 25, 2025
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