Two historic monuments in Melbourne’s Flagstaff Gardens have been vandalised with symbols associated with Hamas in what Jewish leaders have described as an act of “psychological terror”, carried out in the early hours of the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack.
Victoria Police confirmed it is investigating the attack, which targeted neighbouring monuments within the inner-city gardens and involved the use of machinery to tear down the 155-year-old First Pioneer monument. Officers established a crime scene on Thursday morning as council workers began removing debris from the site.
Police believe the vandalism occurred between 10pm on Wednesday and 6am on Thursday. An inverted red triangle — a symbol widely used by Hamas — was spray-painted on both the destroyed First Pioneer monument and the nearby Separation Monument. Red graffiti reading “DEATH TO AUSTRALIA”, “The colony will fall” and “Land back” was also scrawled at the base of the monuments.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, said the attack was deeply distressing, particularly given the timing.
“I felt physically sick seeing this evil emblem scrawled on our monuments,” Dr Abramovich said. “Today is meant to be a moment when the nation pauses to honour fifteen people murdered in Bondi simply for being Jewish. Instead, someone chose to glorify the ideology that celebrates that kind of slaughter.”
He described the vandalism as psychological terror, saying it sent a message to Jewish Australians that “there is no space — not even in national grief — where dignity and safety are guaranteed”.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said the inverted red triangle was a known Hamas symbol and that the incident should be treated as a hate crime.
“It represents evil,” he said. “This is a hate crime against Australia.”
Victoria Police confirmed that machinery was used to pull down the First Pioneer monument, with cable ropes still visible at the base on Thursday morning. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the Flagstaff Gardens area and have appealed for witnesses, dashcam footage, or any information via Crime Stoppers.
The First Pioneer monument, erected in 1871, marks Melbourne’s first burial ground and commemorates some of the city’s earliest settlers. The Separation Monument, installed in 1950, commemorates Victoria’s separation from New South Wales.
The attack comes amid a broader pattern of politically motivated vandalism targeting statues across Melbourne in recent years, particularly around Australia Day. On the second anniversary of October 7 last year, the phrase “Glory to Hamas” was painted on a billboard in Fitzroy.
Political leaders across Victoria condemned the vandalism. Premier Jacinta Allan said those responsible “must face the full force of the law”.
“What a disgrace,” she said. “Even on a day dedicated to love, unity and remembrance, these people chose hate and destruction.”
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson described the act as “abhorrent”, while Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the damage was unacceptable and warned ratepayers would bear the cost of repairs.
“We can debate the future of statues and memorials,” Mr Reece said, “but vandalism will never be tolerated or rewarded.”
