Amid heavy backlash from the community, the local council of Port Phillip has vowed to immediately remove murals above shop fronts in Melbourne’s inner city suburb of Balaclava. The artwork, funded by the local council, was perceived as offensive due to its anti-Semitic depictions of Jewish men, especially during considering the recent declaration of war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. The murals, produced by artist Michael Porter, came under scrutiny following the Israeli government’s formal declaration of war against Hamas on October 7. The murals were created before the conflict arose in October of 2023, however, backlash didn’t happen until the conflict began.
Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo expressed that the removal was necessary to maintain an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, recognizing that the murals have diverged community members. She further emphasized that the current Israel-Hamas conflict had significantly heightened sensitivities, and the council acknowledged that the murals have upset some members of the community. The Port Phillip Council’s decision to remove the murals was also supported by City Port Phillip Councilor Marcus Pearl, who found the murals deeply offensive. The artist, Michael Porter, whose work has been removed, stated that he had no intention of causing political, religious, or racial ramifications with his murals.
Victorian Liberal MP David Southwick expressed his disappointment with the council, stating that the murals should have never been commissioned, especially in light of the high-tension environment around the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The decision to fund the murals was also lamented by Executive Director Zeddy Lawrence of Zionism Victoria, who criticized the poor judgment shown by the council in allowing such inflammatory art to be portrayed in the heart of a notable Jewish neighbourhood.
The escalating tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict have also resulted in an increase of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents across the state, according to Victoria Police statistics. The Australian Victorian community and Australian former politicians have issued a rare joint statement condemning hate speeches and urging to respect the diverse Australian people. They emphasized that defending Australian values and denouncing hate speech were critical to achieving peace in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict.