Australia: Jewish teens terrorized, targeted in attempted ramming attack

Hasidic teenagers targeted in antisemitic incident in Melbourne suburb still reeling from arson attacks on a synagogue and a local rabbi’s car.

By World Israel News Staff

Police in a Melbourne, Australia, suburb have launched an investigation into an apparent ramming attack attempted against a group of Hasidic teenagers this week.

The incident occurred in St. Kilda East on Monday night, when five Orthodox Jewish boys, ages 15 and 16, were walking home from evening studies at a school in Ripponlea.

At approximately 9:50 p.m., authorities say, a white car nearly drove into the group of teenagers, forcing them to dodge the incoming vehicle.

Initially, the occupants of the vehicle hurled antisemitic insults and Nazi slogans including “Heil Hitler,” while threatening the Jewish teens as the car drove past them.

However, the driver circled around and sped up while aiming the vehicle at the teens.

According to Victoria Police Acting Commander Adrian Healy, the driver “deliberately drove at them” before running a red light.

After nearly hitting one of them, the driver tried to circle back again, “scouring the area,” Healy said, “and continued to look for them,” making it clear he intended to ram the group.

“This is next level around the vehicle deliberately driving at the individuals. The abuse was terrible, and it was also prolonged,” he said.

The vehicle remained in the vicinity for five or six minutes before the suspects drove off.

Police say the car used in the attack was stolen.

Chayim Klein, the father of one of the boys, said that he received a telephone call from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“[He was] very supportive, sharing his thoughts and wishing my son and the other children well,” Klein said, according to ABC.

“I did share with him that I think the time has maybe come — well, we shouldn’t need security, but if we do need security — the time has come to position public safety officers outside synagogues, outside all schools.”

Last December, a car owned by a local Chabad rabbi and bearing a Chanukkah display was torched in an arson attack in St. Kilda East.

A year earlier, a synagogue in nearby Ripponlea was badly damaged after being set on fire in an antisemitic arson.