Beautiful spot, ugly message
The pop-up Sukkah on Melbourne’s Birrarung Marr has been defaced with the slogan, “Is this where they practised blood libel on kidnapped children.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission has condemned this latest incident of antisemitic vandalism.
The vile slogan was discovered by a Jewish woman visiting the site last week. The ADC and the victim have reported the defacement to the Melbourne City Council.
Chairman of the ADC Dr Dvir Abramovich said: “Another week, another revolting and despicable graffiti which confirms that antisemitism is taking a firm hold and is unmistakably creeping into our daily life.
Sukkah Photo: Marie-Luise Photographer
This time it is an attack on a religious symbol, in the heart of our city, using the classic antisemitic blood libel that has been used to foment and incite violence against Jews for centuries and has often resulted in murder. No wonder that many are rightly concerned as the climate for Australian Jews is growing alarmingly hostile and growing from year to year.
It is a cause of great concern that people with hatred in their hearts are walking our streets, brazenly defacing properties, and sowing the seeds of fear and intimidation.
We call on all leaders to offer a full-throated condemnation of this surge in prejudice and hope that the police investigates this crime vigorously and brings those responsible to justice.”
The Sukkah on Birrarung Marr is the work of award-winning designer Zahava Elenberg.
