Car Driven at Jewish Teenagers in Melbourne in Alleged Anti-Semitic Incident

The incident occurred on Jan. 19 when a white ute passed a group of Jewish boys and its occupants reportedly yelled ‘Heil Hitler’ at them.

Signage on a police vehicle in Melbourne, Australia on Sept. 16, 2022. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Victoria Police are investigating an anti-Semitic incident in Melbourne after three Jewish teenagers were reportedly stalked and then had a car driven towards them.

On the night of Jan. 19, a group of Jewish teenagers were walking home after evening study at a local school in the St Kilda East suburb. As they stood at a traffic light, a white utility vehicle passed and its occupants reportedly yelled “Heil Hitler” at them.

A spokesperson for Victoria Police confirmed with The Epoch Times that they were investigating.

“Investigators have been told three teenage boys were on Glen Eira Road about 9:50 p.m. when a white ute drove past. It is alleged the occupants of the vehicle yelled anti-Semitic abuse and stopped a short distance away,” the spokesperson said. 

“The victims ran across the road, the ute performed a U-turn and drove towards the victims." 

Victorian Police said no injuries were reported as the vehicle drove away from the scene.

“There is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated,” the spokesperson said. 

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or with footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Victorian Premier Calls Incident ‘Hateful Behaviour’

Meanwhile, political and Jewish leaders have been quick to condemn the incident.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described it as “hateful behaviour.”

“That [Nazi] salute is banned here in Victoria, you can be prosecuted for that, and Victoria Police will be investigating,” she told reporters.

“We already have the strongest anti-hate laws in the nation and my plan is to strengthen those anti-hate laws when parliament returns.”

Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission—an Australian Jewish community organisation that combats anti-Semitism, described the incident as a “horror show” in a Facebook post.

He also shared footage of the ute appearing to almost run over one of the teenagers, saying it was “deeply distressing.”

Anti-Semitic incidents appear to be continuing after the Bondi Beach terror attack on Dec. 14 killed 15 people and injured 40 others.

On Dec. 25, 2025, a car with a “Happy Chanukah” sign on it was allegedly firebombed in Melbourne.