Bondi skateboard ramp defiled with a swastika
The Waverley Council has rapidly removed a swastika crudely drawn on the surface of the widely-used skateboard ramp at Bondi Beach.
The defiled Bondi Beach skateboard ramp
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Lesli Berger condemned the perpetrators.
He said: “It’s no coincidence that those responsible for this reprehensible act of vandalism chose to do it in Bondi Beach. It’s not the first time that Nazi swastikas have been smeared in the area, and it would certainly be helpful for local authorities to install CCTV cameras along the beachfront to serve as a deterrence to future offensive behaviour. It also shows the importance of banning the swastika.”
State Liberal MP for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said: “I am appalled to see the Nazi swastika appear again at Bondi Beach. It is an outright symbol of hatred that is incredibly hurtful to members of our Jewish community. We must end the offensive and deplorable use of the Nazi swastika and other symbols including the flag now.”
Waverley councillor Steven Lewis told J-Wire: “I condemn this act of racial hatred. Yet again we see antisemitic attacks in our community. I urge the police to investigate and prosecute those responsible for this outrage.”
His feelings were echoed by Councillor Leon Goltsman who added: “It just goes to show that despite having a strong, caring and inclusive community there’s always going to be some people who choose to hate.
I’m pleased however that our public place cleansing team had the graffiti promptly removed as soon as it was brought to their attention.”
J-Wire understands report has been done on installing CCTV and that there are significant costs and manpower issues.
The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies alerted the Council requesting the rapid removal of the swastika.
