Parkgoers horrified by antisemitic graffiti burnt onto grass at children’s playground: ‘Traumatized’

A Melbourne father has been left horrified after discovering his local park was vandalized to depict an anti-Semitic message in the grass.

The Jewish father, who has asked not to be named, was taking his one-year-old daughter to Mill Park in Melbourne’s northwest when he discovered the distressing message.

It’s understood someone either burnt or mowed the message “Zionism = Nazi” into the grass at the popular children’s park.

“To be honest, I am still traumatized by the massacre that took place in Israel,” the Israeli-born father said.

“I was thinking about how children my daughter’s age were slaughtered a year ago but trying to enjoy quality time with my daughter … when all of a sudden I see her running around on this hate speech.”

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said the anti-Semitic graffiti was “not normal”.

“The monster of anti-Semitism has once again reared its head and delivered a punch to gut of every Jewish Australian,” Dr Abramovich said.

“What should have been a joyful family outing turned into a nightmare.

“Taking his one-year-old daughter for a peaceful to kick a ball for the first time, that precious milestone was shattered.

“In one stroke, the venom of anti-Semitism had defiled a space meant for children and families and this stomach-churning act of evil is a disturbing reminder that even a simple day at the park can be poisoned by bigotry.

“To scrawl such venom in a children’s playground is a new low in cowardice and cruelty.”

Dr Abramovich said it was important public spaces were protected from hateful acts.

“Every Jewish Australian deserves to raise their children in safety, free from the dark shadow of hate that this graffiti represents,” he said.

“This latest incident is a brazen violation of every family’s right to peace, a sick distortion of history, and an attack on the collective memory of Holocaust survivors.

“Jewish Australians should not have to wonder if a day at the park will turn into a confrontation with prejudice.

“Public spaces must be sanctuaries of joy and safety, not stages for the ugliest expressions of hate.”

The City of Whittlesea council has been contacted.