Orthodox Jewish teens attacked in Australia

Police are investigating an alleged attack on two ultra-Orthodox teenagers, including one who was already on crutches, which may have been motivated by antisemitism or anti-Israel sentiment.

The boys, aged 16 and dressed in traditional black-and-white Orthodox garb, were waiting for a tram in Melbourne’s Chapel Street on Tuesday night when a car pulled up and one of its passengers allegedly shouted, “You killed our cousins in Lebanon”, in what is believed to be a reference to Israel’s war against Hezbollah last July.

One of the boys, who already had a broken leg in plaster, was then attacked with one of his crutches. The other boy received minor facial injuries. Both boys were taken to The Alfred hospital, where they were treated and released a short time later.

A member of Police Victoria told the AJN that because the boys could not provide a registration number for the vehicle, identifying the suspects would be extremely difficult.

Gavin Queit, director of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s (JCCV’s) Community Security Group stressed the need for attack victims or witnesses to note car registrations. “It’s the key piece of information in an investigation,” he said.

A spokesperson from Stonnington City Council said that in late 2004, security cameras were installed in the area as part of a trial involving the State Government and Telstra, as well as private industry. However, the cameras have since been removed and not replaced, reportedly due to budget cuts.

Last October, another Orthodox man, Menachem Vorchheimer, was assaulted by a group of footballers as he walked to shul on Simchat Torah. As yet, no charges have been laid over the incident.

http://crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=4430