The vandalism is the latest in a disturbing series of antisemitic attacks in Australia, with officials investigating the possibility that they are part of a concerted campaign
February 17, 2025 12:33
ByJC Reporter, Jewish News Syndicate
Antisemitic vandals have spray-painted Nazi symbols and slogans on a building in Melbourne that formerly housed a business founded by Holocaust survivors.
The vile graffiti was discovered on the site of Gottlieb’s Builders Supplies, which closed down recently having been founded in 1965.
Its founder was a Holocaust survivor who emigrated to Australia and set up the stalwart suppliers, according to a report from The Nightly.
But the roller door on the storefront, which has remained locked shut since it the business collapsed, has now been painted with a swastika and the phrase “gas the Jews”.
Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said: “Mr Gottlieb knew every plumber by name, everything was done by handshake. What his grandchildren said to me when they told me [about the attack] was that were thankful [their grandparents] were not alive to see this, as it looks completely foreign from the Australia they knew.
“Something we know from history is that antisemitism exists under the surface. When it’s out of its box, and it is allowed to come out, it is much harder to put back in. That is what we are experiencing right now. It was not taken seriously enough at the beginning or called out.”
The attack is the latest in a string of antisemiitc incidents that have blighted Australia in recent weeks, with the majority of the disturbance has been in Melbourne and Syndey, which together house the majority of the country’s Jewish population.
The local Jewish communities have suffered everything from foul graffiti to synagogues being firebombed, while police in Sydney came across a caravan loaded with explosives and a list of Jewish-linked addresses.
Police have since confirmed that they are investigating the attacks, including the possibility that they are part of a concerted effort.
One theory ventured by investigators is that local criminals have been paid by foreign actors to carry out antisemitic violence, with AFP reporting that Iran was in the frame.
Meanwhile, two nurses working for New South Wales Health were suspended after a video of them threatening to kill Israel patients went viral.
Detectives subsequently found a vial of morphine in one of the pair’s locker after they asked a colleague to clear it out for them following their suspension, according to 7News
Leibler added: “I have been pretty clear in my view that the Government failed to act soon enough. I still think they have failed to draw the link between the incitement that we’re still seeing around the place and these acts. Until they start to address that, it is going to be pretty difficult.
"For the Jewish community it does not feel like things are getting better.
"I don’t think it will get better until there is a fundamental shift in the willingness of our leaders, not just government, across to the board, to take strong leadership.”