Melbourne police investigating after car with ‘Happy Chanukah’ sign set ablaze

Australian police are investigating a “suspicious fire” after a car carrying a sign celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah was set ablaze in Melbourne.

The empty car, which had a “Happy Chanukah” sign fixed to the roof, was scorched by the fire while parked in a house driveway, images on national broadcaster ABC television show.

It was set alight in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda East, Victoria police say in a statement, describing it as a “suspicious fire.”

???? Melbourne’s Jewish community woke to another attack.

A car displaying a Chanukah menorah was firebombed at 3am this morning.

Ask yourself who spends Christmas hunting Jews instead of being home with family.

Police are on the scene. pic.twitter.com/N4nQZYOcPS

— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) December 24, 2025

Occupants of the house were evacuated as a precaution.

“Detectives have identified a person who may be able to assist with their investigation and they are actively searching for and making enquiries into their whereabouts,” police say.

Australian authorities are stiffening laws and penalties for hate crimes after a December 14 mass shooting at a Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach killed 15 people.

Rabbi Effy Block, of the local Chabad of St Kilda, says it was clearly an antisemitic attack.

“Thank God no people were harmed,” he tells AFP.

“But this is a continuing escalation, where we see these events happening again and again,” he adds.

“My Jewish community in St Kilda and Melbourne do not feel safe in their own homes and country.”