Western Australian police have launched an investigation into a deeply disturbing act of anti-Semitic vandalism discovered in the suburb of Spearwood. The graffiti, which included the words "kill the Jews" and two swastikas, was found on a brick wall at the rear of a service station.
Shocking Discovery and Swift Community Reaction
The offensive symbols and text were painted on a wall behind a Vibe service station on Rockingham Road. The location was partially concealed, situated next to other non-offensive graffiti and out of direct view from any obvious CCTV cameras. The graffiti was reported on Monday, 6 January 2026, and had been painted over by the following Tuesday morning.
The image was widely circulated after being shared by the Australian Jewish Association, sparking significant outrage online. On Instagram alone, the post attracted more than 2,300 comments, with the vast majority condemning the act. Some social media users tagged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's account, renewing calls for a royal commission into the Bondi attack targeting the Jewish community.
Political Condemnation and Tough New Laws
Acting Premier Jackie Jarvis did not mince words, labelling the graffiti "appalling" and "the worst of the worst." She emphasised that such behaviour is completely unacceptable in Western Australia and stated those responsible should face the "full weight" of the law.
Her comments directly reference new laws introduced in late 2024 that specifically prohibit the public display of Nazi insignia, including the swastika. Under these laws, anyone convicted of such an offence faces severe penalties, including a fine of up to $24,000 or a maximum of five years' imprisonment.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that Cockburn Police are leading the investigation, rather than the State Security Investigation Group. She reiterated that WA Police take all reports of racially or religiously motivated crimes extremely seriously and urged the community to report such incidents.
A Pattern of Hate Incidents
This incident is not isolated. It follows another recent act of hate speech, where a misspelled extremist slogan—"global jhiad"—was sprayed on a fence in the Canberra suburb of Chifley during the festive season. ACT Police stated they assess all such reported material and will investigate where criminality is identified.
In Western Australia, the legal framework is now clear. The display of a swastika in public, graffiti featuring Nazi symbols, or the performance of a Nazi salute are all criminal acts. Authorities are determined to use these laws to combat the rise of anti-Semitism and hate-based vandalism.
Police are urging anyone with information about the Spearwood graffiti to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Reports can be made anonymously.
