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Australian city hit by Christmas Day anti-Semitic vandalism

The home of one of Melbourne’s Jewish residents was defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti on the Christian holiday.

By: Benjamin Kerstein/The Algemeiner

A Jewish man’s home was hit with anti-Semitic vandalism in Melbourne, Australia on Monday, the Daily Mail reported.

The Christmas Day incident saw swastikas and “SS” spray-painted on the “brick fence, driveway, and front door” of the house.

According to the Daily Mail, this was the latest in a recent series of vandalism acts across Melbourne.

Dr. Dvir Abramovich — the head of the Anti-Defamation Commission, which fights antisemitism in Australia — told the Daily Mail, “We decry this disturbing act of bigotry which is an attack on the decency of all Australians.”

Abramovich pointed toward a larger phenomenon, saying Monday’s incident “fits a pattern of increased racist crimes targeting the Jewish community.”

“There is no doubt that the spike in these threatening incidents, which traumatize the victims and create a climate of fear, serves as a sad reminder that antisemitism and racism are on the rise, and the message that must be conveyed by leaders across the political and religious spectrum is that this type of intimidating bigotry will not be tolerated,” he said.

He called on Melbourne residents to speak out against the wave of antisemitism and “say enough is enough, not in our city.”