Jewish man feels 'lucky' to be alive after a violent attack in Sydney

A Jewish man said he feels “lucky” to be alive after a violent antisemitic attack by Palestine supporters in Sydney left him with a head injury and a fractured spine.

The 44-year-old, whose name has not been published, told Sky News Australia that he had been walking through a children’s playground in the Inner West section of Sydney when he “absent-mindedly” ripped off the remainder of a torn poster promoting a pro-Palestine rally that had already taken place. 

A man who had been in the playground approached him, asked if he supported Israel and said “I will murder you,” before a mob gathered and started shouting insults. He rang the police but they did not arrive before he was attacked. He felt a blow to the back of his head and fell to the ground, where he lay as three other men joined the assault, punching and kicking him while calling him slurs such as “pro-Jew dog”. He said he received at least 12 hits to the head. 

When police arrived, the man’s attackers had already fled. The victim said he spent four days in the hospital being treated for his injuries. NSW Police are investigating the incident.