“Hamas is a terrorist organisation. Hamas was responsible for the terror attack which occurred two years ago on this day, in which 1200 innocent people lost their lives … a message of that kind scrawled on this day is deeply disgraceful,” he said.
“I certainly think that there are people in our society today who do feel threatened, and I think that … is very much a matter of concern to the government. We are doing everything in our power to stand by the Jewish community as they face acts of antisemitism.
“We need to be a country which looks out for each other, and part of being a multicultural society, with all the diversity and richness that comes with that, must also be an accompanying care that we have for each other, and this [billboard] is a message of division. This is not a message which is designed to provide for the care of others within our community. And that is in part why this is absolutely a disgraceful message to have at any moment, but particularly on this day.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said the words scrawled on the billboard were offensive, and “every effort” was being made to have it removed.
“This is not in the spirit of peace. I won’t even give breath to the name of that organisation that’s mentioned on that billboard … we should be wrapping our arms around members of our Jewish community,” she told ABC Melbourne.
Caulfield MP David Southwick said the words plastered on the billboard were “triggering” for Australia’s Jewish community.
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“To have people glorifying a terrorist organisation in Melbourne, it’s just beyond belief,” he told ABC Melbourne.
“We’ve got laws – they need to be used. Nobody should be doing this … it’s shameful in terms of how the Jewish community has been targeted over the last two years. And something needs to be done. Words are not good enough from our leaders. They’ve actually got to get out and do something.”
Locals passing by said the vandalism was “disappointing”, adding that vandals had previously targeted that billboard. One person, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It’s just so horrible to see.”
Police are investigating the incident, and said in a statement: “There is absolutely no place at all in our society for antisemitic or hate-based symbols and behaviour.”
Yarra City Council workers also visited the scene on Tuesday morning and photographed the graffiti.
A pro-Palestine protest on August 24. Activists plan to march through Melbourne on Tuesday evening.Credit: Wayne Taylor
The graffiti is believed to have appeared overnight, coinciding with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks, in which Hamas militants murdered 1200 people and took 250 hostages.
In response, Israel launched a violent two-year campaign that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians so far. The UN Commission has labelled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocidal.
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In a statement on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the graffiti was “deeply disturbing”, and called on the Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to help police track down the vandals.
“Hamas is a listed terrorist organisation in Australia. Supporting them is not free speech, it is a crime,” Ley said.
“Those responsible must face the full force of the law. Victorians deserve to feel safe in their own community.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for “decent human behaviour” to mark Tuesday’s anniversary of the attacks.
“[Tuesday] is not a day for demonstrations,” Albanese said, as the premiers of Victoria and NSW condemned the protests organised in both states to mark the second anniversary of the atrocities.
Allan said Tuesday’s planned protest in Melbourne was “unacceptable”.
“Today should not be a day about protest,” she told ABC Melbourne. “Today is a day to stand with those in our community who are mourning the loss of life and what occurred to you in that horrific terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.”
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