Vandals have graffitied at least two swastikas across Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach for the second time in three months.
Police arrived at Queen Elizabeth Drive in Bondi on Wednesday morning following reports of malicious damage, a NSW Police spokeswoman told 10 daily.
Officers found “a number of symbols” painted on a section of the iconic mural wall.
The graffiti shows at least two swastika symbols and at least one other racial slur in a similar location where up to 30 swastikas were daubed in February.
Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Dr Dvir Abramovich, condemned the “stomach-churning act of evil”.
“The ugly clouds of anti-Semitism have darkened the skies of Bondi,” he told 10 daily.
“It is a cause of great concern that neo-Nazis and white supremacists are walking our streets, brazenly defacing properties and sowing the seeds of fear and intimidation.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim is deeply concerned by the incidents and hopes police will prosecute those responsible “to deter any future hate-mongering”.
“There is already far too much hate and hate-fuelled violence in the world,” he told 10 daily.
“We don’t want it in Australia, and especially not in places where families go to relax and enjoy themselves.”
Waverley Council has moved swiftly to remove the graffiti.
ECAJ@ECAJewrySydney’s iconic Bondi Beach this morning. A ghastly reminder of the hatred that is in our midst. This is the second time the famous mural strip has been hit with swastikas and other racist messages in the past few months. https://www.jewishnews.net.au/bondi-beach-defaced-with-swastikas-2/88818?fbclid=IwAR1Sf7fHBeJm8BQ2WZkgsLz0QyO-Msu46s4Ruq5B46cNfxyL9PBS_SsLJhA …
NSW Interim Opposition Leader Penny Sharpe also expressed her solidarity with the NSW Jewish community, strongly condemning the “sickening” attacks.
“Just days before Passover (Pesach), it is deeply disturbing to see this hateful expression of anti-Semitism in one of the most public places in Australia,” she said.
“This is not just an act of vandalism, it is a clear and calculated hate crime aimed at causing maximum harm and offence.”
Prof Kerryn Phelps AM MP@drkerrynphelps
The #Wentworth community is united in outrage by the news that thirty swastikas were graffitied on the murals around Bondi Beach overnight. There is no place for anti-Semitism in Australia.
Abramovich said these “cowardly and despicable” acts of vandalism are becoming far too common, amid mounting concerns about anti-Semitism in Australia.
“We must turn this disturbing incident into a moment of resolve and offer a full-throated condemnation of this surge in prejudice,” he said.