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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Antisemitic graffiti victim refuses to clean vandalism, wants public to see 'fierce target'

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A victim of an antisemitic attack in Adelaide, Australia, is refusing to clean graffiti from his property to ensure the public sees the targeted nature of the vandalism.
  • Rosti Sverdlov stated the attack, which included swastikas and offensive language, was a "fierce target to family, not public Jewish institutions."
  • Police are seeking two individuals captured on CCTV near the property and have condemned the antisemitic act, though they see no evidence of a rise in such attacks in South Australia.

A man targeted in an antisemitic attack in Adelaide has refused to clean offensive graffiti from his family's property, insisting he wants the public to witness the deliberate nature of the vandalism. Rosti Sverdlov said the attack on his Camden Park home occurred Saturday morning.

I just saw graffiti and said, 'Wow our neighbourhood [has] become so bad, people put graffiti on my fence'. But after I noticed the swastika... and started reading what is written.

— Rosti SverdlovSverdlov described his initial reaction upon discovering the vandalism.

"I just saw graffiti and said, 'Wow our neighbourhood [has] become so bad, people put graffiti on my fence'," Sverdlov told ABC News. "But after I noticed the swastika... and started reading what is written."

Sverdlov, who is Jewish and has seven children, stated the attack was unprovoked and a "fierce target to family, not public Jewish institutions." He added, "they want to come to... families and kids."

I am Jewish; I have seven kids... we never cover up that we are Jewish.

— Rosti SverdlovSverdlov explained his family's identity in relation to the attack.

South Australia Police are seeking two individuals seen on CCTV arriving at the property before the antisemitic symbols and language were spray-painted on the fence and front door. Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Fitzgerald condemned the actions, stating, "There is no place in South Australia for antisemitism." Police are investigating, but Fitzgerald noted there is currently "no evidence" of an increase in antisemitic attacks in the state. He also mentioned a separate report of offensive material found near Moana on Sunday, which appeared to be old and unrelated.

It happens without reason... if somebody has confidence, they do horrible stuff.

— Rosti SverdlovSverdlov commented on the perpetrators' motivations.

Despite offers from neighbors and friends to help clean the fence, Sverdlov stated, "if I clean up, I cover up. I want everyone to see because... it's a fierce target to family."

All neighbours, all friends offer me help to clean up the fence, but clean up the fence not my way now, if I clean up, I cover up. I want everyone to see because... it's a fierce target to family, not public Jewish institutions... they want to come to... families and kids.

— Rosti SverdlovSverdlov explained his decision not to clean the graffiti immediately.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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