An outraged Anthony Albanese has slammed anti-Semitic vandals targeting MPs’ workplaces, after a Jewish politician’s office was attacked overnight in Melbourne.
Windows were smashed and the front of federal Labor MP Josh Burns’ St Kilda electoral office was set on fire, in what he called a ‘politically motivated attack’.
The walls of the building were daubed in red paint and graffitied with a slogan reading ‘Zionism is fascism’. Zionism refers to the ideology that Jews deserve their own state in their ancestral homeland of Israel.
Mr Albanese said the attack was ‘very distressing’ and those responsible for it must be held accountable for their criminal actions.
‘This is an escalation of the attacks that we’ve seen. We’ve been talking about this. We’ve got to dial this down,’ he told ABC Radio.
An outraged Anthony Albanese (pictured) has slammed vandals who are targeting MP’s workplaces, after a Jewish politician’s office was attacked overnight in Melbourne
The walls of the building were daubed in red paint and graffitied with an anti-Semitic slogan reading ‘Zionism is fascism’ (pictured). Zionism refers to the ideology that Jews deserve their own state in their ancestral homeland of Israel
‘For some people, they feel very strongly about issues in the Middle East. But it’s no reason to target MPs half a world away in Australia, and in particular the targeting of a Jewish MP is very distressing.’
At least five people were seen near the office on Barkly Street in St Kilda at about 3.20am on Wednesday, police were told.
Investigators said small fires were lit in the telecommunications pits at the front of the building before the group ran from the scene.
Mr Burns has been targeted in the past by vandals defacing his election posters.
Police shut down Barkly Street in both directions after the attack.
In a statement posted to social media, Mr Burns said his office was damaged in a ‘politically motivated attack’.
‘I’ve been in contact with the Federal Police and am awaiting further advice,’ he said.
‘My team won’t be at the office this morning, or until we’re told it is safe to do so, but we’re still here to help our community and can be contacted by email.
‘I understand those who have seen images or vision of the attack might find it distressing.’
Mr Albanese said the attack is a distressing escalation that needs to be dialled back down.
‘This has got to be seen as an attack on someone who’s a Jewish MP, someone who is running an office that looks after people’s interests,’ he said.
‘How people think that they advance their cause through activities like this is beyond me. It does nothing. It undermines the cause that people purport to represent.’
Windows were smashed and the front of federal Labor MP Josh Burns’ (pictured) St Kilda electoral office was set fire to, in what he called a ‘politically motivated attack’
Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the vandalism on a Jewish MP’s office is an ‘assault on our democracy and our sense of safety’.
Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell condemned the violence and property damage but claimed the movement calling for the end to the war in Gaza was largely peaceful.
Federal Labor minister Katy Gallagher said attacks on politicians’ offices are ‘not the way we do politics in Australia’.
‘This type of criminal activity – vandalism – is outrageous, and we need to make sure that the community understands that this is just not on,’ she told ABC TV.