BREAKING: An antisemitic firebombing has rocked Melbourne early on December 25, 2025, as a family narrowly escaped disaster when their car was set ablaze outside their home while they slept. The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 AM on Balaclava Road in St Kilda East, leaving the local community in shock.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to find a vehicle displaying a Hanukkah sign engulfed in flames. Thankfully, the family was unharmed, but the attack has sparked outrage among Melbourne’s Jewish community. The Australian Jewish Association condemned the firebombing, labeling it a symptom of a growing crisis in antisemitism in Australia.
“The car with the Chanukah sign has been firebombed… this is the new Australia where antisemitism has been allowed to escalate unchecked,”
the group stated.
Authorities indicated that the vehicle was unoccupied during the attack, but residents were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported, but the psychological impact on the family is profound, especially on a day meant for celebration.
Victoria Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have mobilized the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit to lead the investigation. Detectives are actively seeking information from the public, urging anyone with detection footage to come forward. The car has since been towed for forensic analysis.
This attack follows heightened tensions surrounding antisemitic acts across the nation, including the recent Hanukkah by the Sea terror attack at Bondi Beach on December 14, which resulted in 15 fatalities. The community is on high alert as these incidents raise significant concerns regarding safety and security.
Anyone with information related to the firebombing is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
As the investigation unfolds, the community awaits further updates while grappling with the distressing reality of targeted hate crimes. This incident not only highlights the immediate danger faced by the Jewish community but also calls for broader conversations about intolerance and safety in Australia.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story continues to unfold.
