Jewish Teens Nearly Run Down in Antisemitic Attack in Melbourne

A group of Chassidic teenage boys were nearly run down in an antisemitic attack in Melbourne on Monday night after the occupants of a vehicle allegedly shouted Nazi slogans, threatened to stab them, and deliberately drove toward them as they tried to flee.

According to police, the boys, aged 15 and 16, were walking home after night study when a white utility vehicle approached them at around 9:50 p.m. Investigators say the occupants yelled antisemitic words including “Heil Hitler” before attempting to strike one of the teenagers with the vehicle.

Police say the vehicle stopped a short distance away, made a U-turn, and then drove toward the boys as they crossed the road, narrowly missing one of them before running a red light. The vehicle then continued circling nearby streets, with its occupants allegedly threatening to stab the teenagers.

Victoria Police described the incident as a serious escalation from verbal harassment to physical danger. Acting Commander Adrian Healy said the attack involved a vehicle being used as a weapon and continued over several minutes as the suspects searched the area for the boys. “This is next level around the vehicle deliberately driving at the individuals,” Healy said. “The abuse was terrible and it was also prolonged.”

As the boys ran for safety, they attempted to call emergency services from a public payphone. According to the father of one of the boys, they were placed on hold and were not connected to police. Fearing the vehicle was still nearby, the teenagers ran back toward a local Jewish school where they could hide.

“The boys were literally scared for their lives,” said Chayim Klein, the father of one of the teenagers. He said the vehicle was circling the intersection and intimidating the boys as they tried to escape, and no physical injuries were reported. “They’re good boys. They’re in school, they study, they learn hard. They’re not used to that kind of behavior or intimidation.”

Police later confirmed the vehicle involved in the incident had been reported stolen days earlier and was believed to be linked to other crimes in the area, including burglaries and vehicle thefts. Investigators said two people of interest have been identified, though no arrests have been announced as of Tuesday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese contacted Klein directly and described the episode as an antisemitic hate incident. “This targeting of young Jewish boys has no place in our country,” Albanese said, adding that the teenagers had endured a terrifying ordeal being “targeted for their Jewish faith, and I want to see the perpetrators face the full force of the law.”

Victoria Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area at the time to contact Crime Stoppers. Officers said they are “throwing everything” at locating the suspects as the Jewish community remains on alert following what authorities described as a deliberate and dangerous act of antisemitic intimidation.