A rabbi and his young family were forced to flee their home in the early hours of Christmas morning after their car was deliberately set alight in what is being treated as a targeted antisemitic attack.
Attack in the Heart of the Jewish Community
The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 am on Wednesday, December 25, in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda East. Victoria Police reported that a silver sedan parked in the driveway of the rabbi's home on Balaclava Road was firebombed. The vehicle was notably displaying a "Happy Chanukah" sign on its roof at the time of the attack.
As a precaution, officers evacuated the religious leader and his family from the property following the pre-dawn blaze. The area is known for its significant Jewish population, with 2021 census data indicating nearly 27.9% of local residents identify as Jewish. The targeted home is also situated directly opposite a well-known Jewish school.
Community Reeling After Recent Violence
This disturbing event comes just over a week after a terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where two alleged gunmen opened fire into crowds at a Chanukah celebration. The Jewish festival of Chanukah had concluded on December 22.
By Thursday morning, the burnt-out vehicle had been removed from the driveway, but shattered glass remained scattered across the property, a visible reminder of the violence. The attack has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community, raising serious concerns about safety and religiously motivated crime.
Investigation and Political Response
Victoria Police have launched a full investigation into the firebombing. Authorities are examining all evidence to determine the precise motives and identify those responsible for the act.
The seriousness of the incident has drawn attention at the highest levels of government. Both Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and local MP Joshua Burns have been approached for comment regarding the attack, underscoring its national significance.
The firebombing on a major Christian holiday, targeting a Jewish family shortly after their own festival, highlights a deeply troubling pattern of intolerance that communities and authorities are now urgently addressing.
