Man Arrested for Christmas Day Arson on Hanukah-Decorated Car in Melbourne
January 6, 2026
Victoria police have arrested a 47-year-old Richmond man over an alleged arson attack on a car decorated with Hanukah signs in Melbourne. The car, with a 'Happy Chanukah' sign on its roof, was firebombed on Christmas morning in St Kilda East.
Emergency services responded after the vehicle was set on fire. No one was inside the car at the time, but a woman and three children living at the property were evacuated for safety. The man remains in custody as detectives prepare to interview him. Police have not laid any charges yet.
This attack comes less than two weeks after a deadly incident targeting Jews celebrating Hanukah at Sydney’s Bondi beach, which claimed 15 lives. Naomi Levin, chief executive of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, said, "the Australian Jewish community remains on edge. This is a continuation of the daily fear the Jewish community has had to live in for the past two years, and even more so after Bondi."
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the arson "the community rightly fear is an antisemitic incident." She added, "This is not what any family, street or community deserves to wake up to on Christmas Day in Australia. This little car has been driving around town spreading the Hanukkah and holiday cheer. I even saw one drive past when I was in Caulfield on Monday afternoon."
Read More at Theguardian →
Tags:
Arson Attack
Hanukah Decorations
Melbourne
Jewish Community
Antisemitism
Victoria Police
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