November 27, 2015
Media Coverage:
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has deplored an assault on two Jewish men that took place outside the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne yesterday. A video posted on social media shows the instigator of the incident slapping a member of the Jewish community, then grabbing the shirt of another. He is also heard hurling racial epithets and telling a congregant to “go back to Israel”. The man is also heard screaming about Allah in the video.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“We are terribly disturbed by this alarming anti-Semitic outburst and assault. It is appalling that any member of the Jewish community had to endure this terrifying racial abuse and physical attack outside a house of worship. Australian of all faiths, nationalities, and ethnicities should feel secure without the fear or threat of being targeted for abuse because of their religion. Such abhorrent incidents have a damaging and searing impact on the victims and on the community affected. We congratulate the police for arresting and charging the alleged perpetrator. There is there is absolutely no room in our country for such hateful conduct and our community will not stand for such violence.”
For more information, please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272-5677