Victim of antisemitic attack refuses to clean graffiti to highlight targeted nature
L'essentiel
- Rosti Sverdlov, a victim of an antisemitic attack in Adelaide, refuses to clean graffiti including a swastika from his property, wanting to show he was deliberately targeted.
- Police are investigating and condemn the act, though they state no rise in such attacks in SA.
- The acting premier expressed disappointment and highlighted existing legislation against Nazi symbols.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Rosti Sverdlov's property was defaced with offensive graffiti, including a swastika, on a Saturday morning. He has chosen not to clean it to show he was deliberately targeted.
The victim of an antisemitic attack says he does not want to clean up offensive graffiti sprayed on his Adelaide property, because he wants the public to see his family was deliberately targeted.
Camden Park man Rosti Sverdlov said the attack happened on Saturday morning.
"First of all, I didn't recognise what happened," Mr Sverdlov said.
"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."
The ABC has chosen not to publish the offensive language written on the property.
Mr Sverdlov was asked what could have led to the attack.
"It happens without reason... if somebody has confidence, they do horrible stuff."
Mr Sverdlov said he wanted the attackers to know he "wasn't afraid".
"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," he said.
Caught on CCTV
SA Police's Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Fitzgerald said CCTV from a neighbouring property identified a dark-coloured Sedan arriving at the property.
"We're asking anyone who has any information about their identity or anything that may lead to us identifying those people, to please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
"We believe the use of these symbols and the messaging is because the occupants are Jewish.
"There is no place in South Australia for antisemitism... In the strongest terms, we condemn these actions."
Acting Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said police were also aware of a second report of offensive material being located near the boat ramp in Moana on Sunday morning.
He said the report suggested the damage was old and that the matters did not appear to be linked.
'No rise' of antisemitic attacks in SA
Acting Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald said there was "no evidence" to suggest there had been an increase in antisemitic attacks in South Australia.
"We'll increase our patrols and make the occupants of that property feel safe as best we can."
He was asked about Mr Sverdlov wanting to leave the graffiti on the Camden Park fence.
"It's an offence to publish prohibited symbols. However, I think the victims didn't publish the symbols, did they? So we will work with the victims on that," he said.
Acting Premier Kyam Maher said he hoped the perpetrators had the "the book thrown at them".
"It's incredibly disappointing," Mr Maher said,
"South Australia has an enviable reputation as a tolerant, multicultural society, and when you see these sort of things you just shake your head and wonder what goes through someone's mind?
"We introduced new legislation only a couple of years ago that bans the use of the Nazi symbol and the Nazi salute, that's up to 12 months in jail or a $20,000 fine."
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Police will investigate the incident and seek information from the public.
Très probable · En quelques jours
Perpetrators may face charges under existing legislation banning Nazi symbols.
Probable · En quelques semaines
Questions ouvertes
- Who are the perpetrators?
- What was the full messaging on the graffiti?
- Will the perpetrators be identified and charged?


