Australia's New Normal
Australian Woman Tells Rabbi and Jewish Kids, "Go To a Gas Chamber" | WATCH
A rabbi and his two young daughters were targeted in a shocking antisemitic attack on a Melbourne tram, where a woman allegedly told them to “go to the gas chambers,” prompting police review and renewed alarm over rising hate crimes in Australia.
A disturbing antisemitic verbal attack occurred on a public tram in St Kilda East, Melbourne, where a woman allegedly told a respected rabbi and his two young daughters, aged 8 and 14, "You should all go to the gas chambers."
The woman was carrying a bag adorned with Palestinian imagery or a "Free Palestine" slogan. When confronted and filmed by the rabbi, she hid her face, denied making the remarks, and accused the family of "picking on her," calling the rabbi a "bully" and questioning why she would say such a thing.
The rabbi reported the incident to the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), which publicized it on social media, including video footage. AJA chief executive Robert Gregory described the abuse as "unbelievable," particularly for targeting children, and linked it to a broader surge in antisemitic hostility in Australia.
Police are reviewing the incident, though no arrests have been reported as of December 13.
Australia has seen a significant rise in antisemitic incidents since October 2023, with 1,654 recorded between October 2024 and September 2025, according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Melbourne has been a focal point for both pro-Palestinian protests and reported hate crimes.