A Jewish teenager was assaulted at a Scouts camp in Australia after being seen wearing a kippah and Israeli flag on Saturday, local media reported on Monday.
The teenager, Joshua Levy, was attending the camp alongside over 1,500 scouts and volunteers in Victoria, and was getting a milkshake when he was confronted by another scout.
The other scout reportedly demanded to know why Joshua was wearing the Israeli flag and accused Israel of murdering children. Levy left, but was approached again later that day by the same individual during a crowded event.
The person tapped Levy on the shoulder, causing him to turn around, and then punched him three times in the nose and left cheek.
Speaking to local outlet 7News Melbourne, Levy said that he had "always heard about antisemitic attacks - but never thought it would happen to me." He also stated that he felt "scared and sad that I’m not free to express my culture and religion freely" after the encounter, and that he was unsure whether it would be safe for him to return to Scouts Australia, due to fear of being assaulted again.
Australian Anti-Defamation Commission denounces antisemitic attack
Jewish-Australian organization Anti-Defamation Commission was quick to denounce the attack.
"This is not 1930s Germany. This is Australia in 2026," said Dr. Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission. “We are watching something dark and rotten in this country become worse every day... This could have ended in brain trauma, in a hospital corridor, in a family standing over a coffin. Instead, it ended with an 18-year-old Jewish boy staring at a mirror and realizing his identity made him a target."
"Bondi was supposed to be a wake-up call," Abramovich added. "And now, months later, a Jewish teenager’s face becomes the landing pad for someone else’s hateful rage. This was not a burst of teenage temper. This was a message delivered in knuckles: 'Hide who you are Jew or pay the price!'"
Scouts Victoria executive manager Jon McGregor said the person responsible for the attack was removed from the camp and that he "is remorseful for his actions and has apologized in writing to everyone involved."
"The safety and well-being of all young people in our care is our highest priority. Scouts Victoria is an inclusive organization that does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or violence.”