An Australian man accused of repeatedly targeting a Melbourne synagogue with antisemitic graffiti — often while disguised in a Scream “Ghostface” mask — has been arrested and charged, police confirmed on Monday, reports The Jerusalem Post.
The 37-year-old from South Yarra allegedly carried out six separate acts of vandalism at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue this year, on 11 March, 21 and 22 June, 22 and 30 July, and 19 August. According to Victoria Police, he arrived at the site on a motorised scooter. He defaced the building with offensive phrases while concealing his identity behind face coverings, including the infamous horror movie mask.
The man faces six counts each of criminal damage and offensive graffiti, five counts of using an unregistered vehicle and driving without a license, and one charge of failing to stop at a police direction. He has been released on bail and is due to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 November.
Jewish leaders say the case is part of a wider surge of antisemitic incidents in Australia since Hamas’s 7 October massacre. Synagogues have faced repeated threats, vandalism, and even arson.
In a separate case, a second suspect was charged last Thursday for his role in the 2024 arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Prosecutors allege that three men deliberately set fire to the historic building in December, injuring two people and causing significant structural damage. A Werribee man was arrested in July for the attack, while another suspect was detained earlier in the month for providing transport.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion welcomed the latest charges, saying they offered “welcome news for our community, especially after another spate of serious antisemitic incidents in Melbourne in July.”
The repeated targeting of synagogues — whether through graffiti, arson, or physical intimidation — underscores the escalating danger faced by Jewish communities in Australia. Community leaders warn that what begins with “offensive phrases” or symbolic desecration can quickly escalate into violent assaults, as the Adass Israel case tragically demonstrated.
Photo credit: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images
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