Antisemitic attack on popular Sydney bakery
Avner’s Bakery in Sydney’s Surry Hills was defaced with antisemitic graffiti over the weekend, with upside-down red triangles painted on the window—a symbol used by Nazis to mark individuals in concentration camps and by Hamas to identify Jewish targets.
Avners
Owner Ed Halmagyi found the graffiti and a threatening note reading “be careful” on Sunday morning. Despite the distressing message, Halmagyi chose to leave the graffiti visible to raise awareness, commenting, “People need to know these things happen.” Halmagyi also noted that the attempt to intimidate him fell flat, saying, “I am not a victim.”
The incident follows a series of antisemitic acts across Australia amid rising tensions related to the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, condemned the attack, writing on X “marking a Jewish business with the Hamas death triangle is a dangerous form of incitement to violence that invokes the darkest days in human history.”
The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies tweeted: “Avner’s hasn’t made a single comment about any foreign conflict or any other political issue. Be in no doubt that this Australian bakery was targeted for only one reason – because its owner is Jewish. This is despicable and those responsible for defacing private property and publicly supporting Hamas – a listed terrorist organisation – must be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.”
NSW Police are investigating, urging anyone with information to come forward. The bakery, known for its Jewish and Eastern European goods, continues to serve the community, with locals showing support for Halmagyi and standing against hate.
