Key Facts:
- A youth who carried out an antisemitic assault on a Jewish teenager, Josh, at a Scouts Victoria event in February has been expelled from Scouts Victoria and received a diversion order in the Children’s Court.
- Josh, then 18, was verbally abused and punched three times in the face after wearing a kippah and carrying an Israeli flag at a camp event at Lardner Park in Gippsland, leaving him with bruising.
- The Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) welcomed the decisions, with Chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich stating that antisemitic abuse and violence must have consequences, and that education, accountability and deterrence must go together.
- Dr Abramovich called on Scouts Victoria to implement serious antisemitism education, clear hate-incident procedures, and direct reassurance to Jewish scouts and their families that they are welcome and safe.
- Josh and his father issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome, expressing hope that it would lead to stronger education, better procedures, and a safer environment for all young people, adding that no one should have to hide who they are to feel safe at Scouts.
The Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading civil rights organisation fighting antisemitism, has welcomed the news a youth involved in an antisemitic assault on a Jewish teenager at a Scouts Victoria event has been expelled from Scouts Victoria and has received a diversion order in the Children’s Court.
ADC Chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich has spoken with Josh’s father who informed him that following a meeting last week with Scouts Victoria, the family was told the youth involved had been expelled. The decision follows an incident in February at a Scouts Victoria event at Lardner Park in Gippsland, where Josh, then 18, was verbally abused and later punched after wearing a kippah and carrying an Israeli flag.
At the time, Josh said another youth questioned why he was wearing “that flag” and abused him. Later that night, at a crowded camp event, Josh was tapped on the shoulder and punched in the face three times.
He was treated by a doctor at the event and suffered bruising. Victoria Police previously described the matter as a targeted incident and interviewed a 17-year-old boy, who was charged and has now been sentenced
Dr Abramovich said the diversion order should still carry a clear lesson: that antisemitic abuse and violence must have consequences, and that education, accountability and deterrence must go together.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the ADC said:
“This decision matters. It took too long, but it is right. And it sends a message every Jewish child in Scouts Victoria needed to hear: antisemitism will not pitch a tent here. Josh went to a Scouts event as a proud Jewish teenager.. He should have come home with memories, friendships and the ordinary joy of being part of something bigger than himself. Instead, he came home with bruises on his face and a lesson no Jewish child in Australia should ever have to learn: that being visibly Jewish can make you a target for violence. That is why this expulsion is not a minor administrative step. It is a clear red line. A kippah is not a provocation. An Israeli flag is not an invitation to abuse. Jewish pride is not a licence for someone else’s fists, Scouts Victoria has done the right thing. Now it must make the message unmistakable: no campsite, no hall, no dance floor, no youth movement and no uniform will ever give cover to Jew-hatred. When antisemitism walks into a youth movement, it must be shown the door.
I also note the Children’s Court diversion order. Diversion must never mean minimisation. It must mean responsibility. It must mean education. It must mean the young person understands the harm caused, the fear inflicted, and the line that was crossed.
Scouts Victoria should now put in place serious antisemitism education, clear hate-incident procedures, and direct reassurance to every Jewish scout and family that they belong. Because the test is simple. If a Jewish child cannot wear a kippah at Scouts without fear, then Scouts has failed its own promise. This decision helps repair that promise. Now Scouts Victoria must make sure it is never broken again.”
JOINT STATEMENT FROM JOSH AND JACQUES
“We welcome this decision. What happened to Josh was frightening and upsetting, and it has stayed with him and with our family. He did not expect that wearing a kippah or carrying an Israeli flag would lead to violence. Nothing can undo the trauma, but consequences matter. We appreciate that Scouts Victoria met with us and listened. While we wish this decision had come sooner, we are pleased that a clear step has now been taken. Our hope is that this leads to stronger education, better procedures and a safer environment for every young person, including Jewish scouts. No one should have to hide who they are to feel safe at Scouts”
About us:
The Anti-Defamation Commission is Australia’s leading civil rights organisation fighting antisemitism, Holocaut denial, neo-Nazism and all forms of hatred since 1979.
