An Adelaide Jewish community leader who allegedly had anti-Semitic slurs yelled at him on the streets of Melbourne says that, six weeks on, Victoria Police have taken "no meaningful action" against the offender.
Norman Schueler said he was celebrating Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, in Melbourne in late September when a man used "foul" anti-Semitic signs and language towards him, which included making Nazi salutes and expressing a desire for all Jewish people to be killed.
"His piercing eyes will forever haunt me," he said.
"I was horrified, not only by the verbal assault, but also by the angry and contorted facial expressions.
"The more he said it, the more his face became angry and threatening."
In a speech at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, which is next to Adelaide's Holocaust Museum, to mark the anniversary of Kristallnacht, Mr Schueler said it sent a message that people could be threatened and intimated, but action would not necessarily be taken.
He said police attended the incident and took the offender into custody, but he later found out the man had been released without charge.
"No meaningful action has been taken; no justice has been delivered," he said.
"This sends a message that we can denigrate our fellow Australians, threaten them with death, invoke the most painful aspects of our history to taunt and intimidate, and no action will be taken.
"The same hatred and inhumanity that nearly destroyed our people and brought ruin to all of Europe, exists today.
"It does not merely belong to history."
Speakers condemn rising anti-Semitism in Australia
In a statement, Victoria Police said it was seeking more information from the complainant to assist with the investigation.
A spokesperson said when officers were first alerted to the incident, "the full extent of the comments regarding racial vilification was not disclosed".
Police said further allegations were made in early October and officers were waiting to receive further information.
"Victoria Police does not tolerate discrimination or victimisation, including that which is motivated by prejudice, racism or discrimination," the statement read.
"All Victorians have a right to feel safe and secure in their community."
Mr Schueler used his speech to thank a passer-by who stayed with him during the abuse and volunteered himself as a witness, telling Mr Schueler he should not have to experience this.
He also expressed concern at the number of attacks on Jewish people in contemporary Australia — a point echoed by other speakers at the event, who described anti-Semitism as a growing problem throughout the country.
Earlier this year, a group of men were caught on camera doing a Nazi salute outside the Adelaide Holocaust Museum.
The museum was also the target of an anti-Semitic sticker in August.
The South Australian government is currently looking at ways it can ban the display of anti-Semitic symbols as well as the activities of neo-Nazis and other similar ideological extremist groups.
