An 18-year-old Jewish teen was assaulted at a Scout camp in Gippsland for wearing a yarmulke and an Israeli flag, according to police and the Anti-Defamation Commission. The incident occurred at Lardner Park during the Anything Goes weekend for Venturer Scouts.

Police allege the teen was approached by an unknown male around 2 p.m. on Saturday and verbally abused for wearing the yarmulke and Israeli flag. The same individual approached the teen again later that evening and assaulted him about 9 p.m.

The teen, identified as Joshua, reportedly suffered minor injuries in the attack. He told the Anti-Defamation Commission he felt scared and sad that he was not free to express his culture and religion freely. He said he now questioned whether it was safe to return to Scouts.

“I always heard about anti-Semitic attacks but never thought it would happen to me,” Joshua said.

The Anti-Defamation Commission condemned the incident, describing it as a targeted attack. Commission chair Dvir Abramovich said the assault highlighted a growing problem of anti-Semitism in Australia.

“An 18-year-old man was verbally intimidated, stalked and beaten because he was visibly Jewish,” Abramovich said. “One punch can kill. This could have ended in brain trauma, in a hospital corridor, in a family standing over a coffin.”

Abramovich said the attack was linked to a broader pattern of anti-Semitic rhetoric and behavior in the country. He criticized the normalization of hate speech and called for stronger action from authorities.

“There is a straight line between the slogans and chants shouted in our streets demonising Jews, Israelis and Zionists as baby killers and evil and the hand that decided it was acceptable to strike Joshua,” he said.

Victoria Police confirmed an investigation was underway and emphasized that anti-Semitic behavior would not be tolerated. A police spokesman said the incident left communities feeling targeted, threatened, and vulnerable.

Scouts Victoria said an altercation occurred between two youths at the camp and that one of the young people involved was sent home. The individual has apologized in writing to those affected.

“The safety and wellbeing of all young people in our care is our highest priority,” said Scouts Victoria executive manager Jon McGregor. “Scouts Victoria is an inclusive organisation that does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or violence.”

Police urged anyone with information or footage of the attack to contact Crime Stoppers.