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Outrage after dozens of swastikas appear along iconic Sydney beach


Residents of Sydney’s Bondi have been left horrified after dozens of swastikas were graffitied on beachside murals overnight.

About 30 swastikas appeared along the beachfront, painted over the beach’s iconic paintings which line the walled pedestrian area behind the beach.

Local resident Michael Dunbar told Yahoo7 News the act was “disgraceful in this day and age”.

There were about 30 swastikas left on the murals and paintings. Source: Australian Jewish Association
There were about 30 swastikas left on the murals and paintings. Source: Australian Jewish Association

“This shouldn’t be happening anywhere. Not in Bondi, not in Australia, not anywhere. It really is a shameful act.”

Bondi and its surrounding suburbs have a strong Jewish community, with several synagogues in the area.

Federal Member for Wentworth Kerryn Phillips spoke out over the anti-Semitic markings on Sunday, saying there was no place for such behaviour in the community.

The local community has been left horrified. Source: Australian Jewish Association
The local community has been left horrified. Source: Australian Jewish Association

“The Wentworth community is united in outrage by the news that thirty swastikas were graffitied on the murals around Bondi Beach overnight,” she wrote on Twitter.

“There is no place for anti-Semitism in Australia.”

Liberal Wentworth candidate Dave Sharma also took to Twitter to slam the vandalism on Sunday.

“What an abominable, intolerant and shameful act. Anti-semitism, racism, and hatred in all its forms has no place in our community,” he wrote.

Council workers have begun to remove the graffiti. Source: Australian Jewish Association
Council workers have begun to remove the graffiti. Source: Australian Jewish Association

A Waverley Council crew has since begun removing the graffiti from the artwork.

NSW Police, who are investigating the incident, believe the symbols were spray painted onto the walls on Saturday night and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

The incident comes just a week after a rabbi was verbally attacked by another motorist with anti-Semitic slurs following a disagreement on a Melbourne road.

Anti Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said at the time there had been a rise in such incidents across the nation and anti-Semitic behaviour had become “deeply concerning”.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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