WA Police probe ‘kill the Jews’ and swastikas graffiti on brick wall at rear of Spearwood service station

Police are investigating a disturbing act of anti-Semitic graffiti where the words “kill the Jews” and two swastikas were found on a brick wall in Spearwood. Cockburn police are investigating the act which has shocked people online after a photo of the graffiti was shared with thousands by the Australian Jewish Association on Monday. Acting Premier Jackie Jarvis called it “appalling” and called for whoever’s behind it to face the “full weight” of new laws that include up to five years’ jail for the display of Nazi insignia. “It’s shocking . . . we don’t tolerate that, that’s completely unacceptable,” she said. “This is the worst of the worst. That’s why we’ve toughened up those laws, because it is just appalling behaviour.” The graffiti, which had been painted over by Tuesday morning, was on a brick wall rear of a Vibe service station on Rockingham Road at Spearwood. It was found on the wall next to other non-offensive graffiti and out of view from any obvious CCTV. A worker at the Vibe service station said she was unaware of the graffiti. A police spokeswoman said the investigation was being handled by Cockburn Police, not the State security investigation group, who launched operation Dalewood to combat anti-Semitism after the Bondi shooting. “WA Police take any report of racial or religiously motivated crimes extremely seriously and strongly urge the community to report such incidents to police,” she said. “There is no place for this kind of behaviour in our community, and we will not tolerate crimes that undermine our way of life in Western Australia.” Since the Australian Jewish Association shared a photo of the graffiti on social media. On Instagram alone, more than 2300 comments were recorded mostly slamming the act. While some people expressed disgust, others tagged Anthony Albanese’s Instagram account amid calls for a royal commission into the Bondi attack on members of the Jewish community. State Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas called it “abhorrent” and said it’s more proof a national royal commission is needed. “Australia has a serious problem that cannot be ignored,” he said. “I call on Premier Roger Cook to pick up the phone and urge the Prime Minister to establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission.” Ms Jarvis said it’s up to the Commonwealth to decide. “Obviously, the NSW Government is having a royal commission, the Commonwealth have said they want something quicker,” she said. “If the Commonwealth inquiry then leads to a royal commission we’d be supportive of that, but I think we need to let that play out at the Commonwealth level .. I’m not going to give you a definitive answer.” The latest anti-Semitic incident comes after an extremist slogan was sprayed on a suburban Canberra fence over the festive season. The misspelled tag “global jhiad” was sprayed in white paint on the grey metal fence at least a week ago, on top of other graffiti already on the Chifley property. An ACT police spokesman in early January said officers would always assess “this type of material” when reported and would not hesitate to investigate when criminality was identified. In WA, laws were introduced in late 2024 prohibiting the display of a swastika in a public place, graffiti of a Nazi symbol or the performance of a Nazi salute. Anyone convicted of either of the offences could face a fine of up to $24,000 or five years’ imprisonment. Police urge anyone with information about the graffiti to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Reports can be submitted anonymously.