A serious antisemitic incident is under investigation in Melbourne, Australia, after four women traveling in a stolen car approached a group of Hasidic men on Saturday morning and shouted abuse at them.
According to accounts given to local media, the passengers yelled antisemitic slurs, including “damn Jews,” as they drove near the group. The vehicle was also reported to have swerved dangerously toward them, with one person forced to jump backward to avoid being struck as the car neared the curb. No injuries were reported.
Women shouted antisemitic slurs at Haredi men in Melbourne
(Video: Social media)
Local police confirmed an investigation has been opened, describing the incident as one of several linked to the same vehicle. Victoria Police said they had received multiple reports of dangerous and offensive behavior by occupants of a Hyundai believed to have been involved in additional incidents around the city.
Police said the suspects were also involved in other incidents in which eggs were thrown at people while abusive remarks were shouted at several locations across the city. The vehicle was stolen from a home in the Caulfield suburb last Wednesday and has since been seen driving erratically.
Footage from the scene shows the car sharply veering into the opposite lane as the passengers continue shouting at the group of Jewish men. A police spokesperson said the behavior endangered the public and that efforts are ongoing to locate the suspects and bring them to justice.
The incident has raised concern within the local Jewish community amid a recent increase in reports of antisemitic incidents in Australia.