Car with Hanukkah Sign Torched in Melbourne

A car displaying a Happy Chanukah sign was set ablaze in Melbourne during the early hours of Christmas Day. The incident occurred in the suburb of St Kilda East, where the vehicle was parked in a driveway.

Victoria Police have launched an investigation into the fire, which is being treated as suspicious. The car was empty at the time of the attack, and images from the scene confirmed the vehicle was scorched. The presence of the sign celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah has highlighted the nature of the incident.

The fire was reported in the St Kilda East suburb of Melbourne. According to Victoria Police, the vehicle was targeted in the early hours of Thursday morning. The car was located in a residential driveway when it was set alight.

Images broadcast by national media showed the car completely destroyed by the flames. The vehicle was not occupied at the time of the incident. The specific location within the suburb was a private driveway, indicating a targeted attack on a specific property.

The timing of the attack coincided with Christmas Day, adding a layer of significance to the event. Police have not released further details regarding potential suspects or motives at this stage, other than confirming the suspicious nature of the fire.

The most distinct feature of the targeted vehicle was the Happy Chanukah sign fixed to its roof. This decoration was specifically intended to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which occurred in December 2025.

The presence of the sign on the roof of the car suggests that the vehicle was deliberately chosen due to its visible association with the Jewish faith. The destruction of the car has been described by authorities as a 'suspicious fire,' implying that the act was not accidental.

While the car was empty, the symbolic nature of the attack on a vehicle bearing a religious holiday message is a key focus of the ongoing police inquiry. The investigation aims to determine if the fire was motivated by bias or other criminal intent.

Victoria Police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire. A statement released by the police department confirmed that the fire is being treated as suspicious. Detectives are currently reviewing evidence from the scene in St Kilda East.

The investigation involves:

• Forensic analysis of the vehicle remains
• Reviewing local CCTV footage
• Appealing for witness statements

Authorities have not yet indicated if they are looking for specific individuals or vehicles seen in the area at the time of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish the facts of the case.

Incidents involving religious symbols often cause concern within local communities. The targeting of a vehicle with a Happy Chanukah sign in a residential area has drawn attention to the safety of religious expression in public spaces.

The Melbourne area has a diverse population, and maintaining community cohesion is a priority for local leaders. The timing of the incident on a major holiday underscores the sensitivity of the situation.

While the investigation is in its early stages, the focus remains on identifying those responsible for the Christmas Day fire. The community awaits further updates from Victoria Police regarding the progress of the investigation.