Graffiti attack typifies increased Islamophobia

Police are investigating after a driveway outside a woman’s home in Melbourne’s north-east was sprayed with Islamophobic messages, an incident she believes was in response to her public support for Palestine.

The pavement and driveway outside of Rita Manessis’ home was sprayed with the words ‘‘Get out Muslim c—’’ and ‘‘death to Palestine’’ alongside several Hakenkreuz symbols – or swastikas – according to the Islamophobic Register.

Manessis, 53, said she could smell fresh paint while taking the bins out at her Templestowe home late on Thursday night.

The non-Muslim woman said she believes she was targeted because she has shown support for Palestinians amid heightened political tensions as people takes sides on the war in Gaza.

As part of activist group Menzies for Palestine, Manessis has taken part in marches through Melbourne and weekly rallies outside Liberal MP Keith Wolahan’s office, calling for an end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

Born in Greece, Manessis said she had previously taken part in activism supporting asylum seekers and refugees and for Indigenous Australians.

‘‘I’m not a professional activist. I am just a regular person who lives in the suburbs, who can see what’s happening overseas on my phone every night, as most people can,’’ she said.

‘‘I’ve experienced racism growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, but not this type of hatred. I’ve never had anyone spray paint right outside my house.’’

Police yesterday confirmed detectives were investigating after the offensive graffiti was reported on Friday. Manessis said a council worker who cleaned the graffiti off her driveway revealed he had removed similar messages off a nearby street weeks earlier.

The mother of four said she did not fear for her safety following the vandalism and intended to join protesters marching through Melbourne today.

‘‘If anything it’ll make me louder,’’ she said. ‘‘It won’t silence us.’’

Wolahan, the federal member for Menzies in Melbourne’s northeast, said the matter had been referred to police and called on expressions of hate to stop.

‘‘I have seen reports of reprehensible anti-Islamic graffiti in my electorate. I have reached out to local police, who are investigating. The line between the legitimate expression of highly charged emotions and ugly hate looks like this,’’ he said.

Islamophobia Register, which records, reports and analyses incidents of Islamophobia Australia-wide, said the graffiti was part of a massive uptick in recorded incidents since Hamas’ attack on October 7.

It knew of other Islamophobic incidents throughout Australia, including multiple incidents where women had hijabs pulled off, and a physical attack on a family, who the register says were called ‘‘black Muslim refugees’’ by their assailants.

Islamophobia Register also said it had observed a 39-fold increase in incidents at university campuses.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000, www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.