Swastika Etched on Jewish Bagel Shop in Sydney Amid Rising Antisemitism
Police are investigating an incident of malicious damage at Lox in a Box, a Jewish bagel and sandwich shop located on Oxford Street in Paddington, Sydney. The report was filed around 12pm on Thursday, after the discovery of a swastika scratched into the shop's window. This act of vandalism occurred weeks before the scheduled opening of the new location, highlighting concerns over escalating antisemitic tensions in the area.
Discovery and Investigation Details
Inquiries by authorities have established that the vandalism took place on Saturday, March 21. The shop windows had been covered with brown paper following recent painting and renovations, obscuring the offensive symbol until business owner Candy Berger removed the covering earlier this week. Berger, the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, expressed profound shock and distress upon finding the Nazi emblem. She described the experience as a deep emotional blow, reflecting on the historical significance of the swastika to the Jewish community.
Lox in a Box, originally founded in Bondi with additional sites in Coogee and Marrickville, had been preparing the Paddington location for its grand opening on April 9. The timing of the vandalism is particularly poignant, coinciding with the approach of Passover, a period when Jewish people commemorate their resilience and survival through persecution.
Context of Rising Antisemitic Incidents
This incident is the latest in a string of alleged antisemitic events in Sydney's eastern suburbs, following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israel-Gaza war. In recent months, the area, which is home to many Jewish Australians, has witnessed cars set alight and houses vandalised. The situation escalated in December with a terrorist shooting at a Bondi beach Hanukah event, which resulted in 15 fatalities.
In the aftermath of that attack, Avner's, a popular Jewish bakery in Surry Hills, closed permanently. A message posted on its window cited an inability to ensure the safety of staff and customers, underscoring the growing fears within the Jewish community. Celebrity chef Ed Halmagyi, who operated the bakery, reported nearly two years of continuous antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and intimidation prior to the closure.
Impact on Business and Community Response
Lox in a Box temporarily shut its Bondi, Coogee, and Marrickville stores the day after the Bondi shooting. Berger noted that the business faced a barrage of one-star reviews in the following days, which she attributed to antisemitic motivations. She emphasised the harmful effects such actions can have on small businesses, calling for greater collective humanity and condemning antisemitism as a serious issue.
Following the recent vandalism, Berger praised the efforts of the police and the Community Security Group, a Jewish organisation dedicated to enhancing security. She vowed not to let the incident deter the shop's operations, stating a commitment to resilience and continuing the hard work invested in the business. The community has rallied in support, with many expressing solidarity against hate crimes.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Concerns
The etching of a swastika on a Jewish-owned business window raises alarm about the persistence of antisemitism in Australia. Researchers have noted a global spike in foiled IS-inspired plots, with the Bondi terror attack occurring amid this trend. The incident at Lox in a Box serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect minority communities from targeted violence and discrimination.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The case underscores the importance of addressing hate crimes promptly and effectively to foster a safer, more inclusive society for all residents.
