Big Banana at Coffs Harbour has ‘offensive’ anti-Israel graffiti sprayed on side
Police are investigating whether the incident should be classified under the new hate speech laws introduced last year after the Bondi terror attack.
A major tourist attraction in NSW’s Coffs Harbour has been hit with anti-Israel graffiti over the Easter weekend, in what police are investigating as possible hate speech.
The words “F*** Israel” were plastered on the side of the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour on Sunday morning, with the Palestinian flag beside it.
Police believe someone drew the graffiti on the front of the tourist attraction between 1.30am and 4am Sunday morning.
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Speaking to ABC Coffs Harbour Breakfast, Superintendent Joanne Schultz said the incident would be investigated under the federal government’s new hate speech laws.
“We’re certainly investigating it as a suspected hate speech offence. Certainly at the lowest level, it’s graffiti and malicious damage and at the worst it would be considered hate speech,” she said.
Images of the vandalised banana were shared on social media, which Inspector Schultz encouraged people to take down, as they may be implicated under the hate speech laws.
“It is quite broad legislation so I would encourage people not to post that information, those images,” she said.
“It is certainly offensive. It’s offensive to parts of our community and it’s not wanted.”
In December last year, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced sweeping new changes to the hate speech laws following the Bondi terror attack.
Changes includes bans for the slogan “globalise the intifada”, which the Premier said was “hate speech” and “encourages violence in our community”.
“The chant will be banned alongside other hateful comments and statements made in our community,” he said.
Offenders accused of breaking these laws can face up to two ears’ in prison or be slapped with a $22,000 fine for individuals and up to $110,000 for corporations.
The Albanese government followed suit in January, introducing mandatory minimum sentences of at least 12 months for displaying hate symbols, three years for financing terror groups and six years for terror offences.
Police have urged anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Originally published as ‘Offensive’: Anti-Israel graffiti sprayed on side of Big Banana
