Melbourne: Rabbi's Car Firebombed on Christmas Day

A car bearing a “Happy Chanukah” sign was firebombed in Melbourne’s St Kilda East neighborhood early Christmas morning, in what police and Jewish community leaders say is a suspected antisemitic attack.

Emergency services were called to a residential property shortly before 3 a.m., where they found a grey vehicle engulfed in flames in the driveway. The car, which featured a roof-mounted sign wishing passers-by a happy Chanukah, was destroyed. No one was inside the vehicle at the time, but the occupants of the house were evacuated as a precaution.

Police believe the vehicle was deliberately targeted. Detectives have identified a person of interest and are actively searching for them. A crime scene was established, and authorities are appealing for dashcam and CCTV footage from the area.

The attack comes less than two weeks after the terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were murdered, leaving Australia’s Jewish community on edge.

Jewish community security group CSG Victoria confirmed that no one was physically injured and said it has increased patrols in response to the incident. The group noted that displaying Chanukah symbols on cars is a common practice during the holiday, particularly by Chabad organizations.

Naomi Levin, CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, said the firebombing reflects the fear Jewish Australians have been living with for months. “This is not an isolated moment,” she said. “It is part of a daily reality of intimidation and threat.”

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said she had been briefed by police and acknowledged the community’s fears, calling the incident “deeply disturbing.”

“This is not what any family or community should wake up to on Christmas Day,” she said, adding that authorities are working closely with Jewish leaders.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the attack, calling it “another terrible act of suspected antisemitism” at a time when the Jewish community is still mourning the Bondi attack.

“There is no place in Australia for this kind of hatred, and it has to stop,” Albanese said, adding that federal authorities stand ready to assist the investigation.

Jewish leaders emphasized that the attack sent a clear message aimed at visibility and celebration. As one community figure put it, “This was not random. It was meant to say: don’t be visible, don’t celebrate, don’t exist openly.”

Police say the investigation is ongoing and urge anyone with relevant information to come forward.