Police investigating after Victorian teenager assaulted at scout camp in suspected antisemitic attack

Police are investigating a suspected antisemitic attack after a teenager was verbally abused and assaulted at a scout camp south-east of Melbourne.

Joshua Levy, 18, was walking in Lardner Park, at West Gippsland, about 2pm on Saturday when he was approached by an unknown man and abused for wearing a yarmulke (also known as a kippah) and carrying the Israeli flag, police said.

He was then approached by the same man in a crowd of around 300 people and was assaulted about 9pm.

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He suffered minor injuries and reported the incident alongside his father to police the next day.

Levy told 9News he was taken aback by the unexpected assault.

"He just tapped me on the shoulder, I turned around thinking it was one of my friends, and I instantly felt hazy," he said.

He was left with bruising around his nose and swelling in his cheek after being hit three times.

"Hurting people based on their opinions is not OK," he added.

Police believe it was a targeted attack.

"Victoria Police understand incidents of antisemitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened, and vulnerable," police said in a statement.

"There is absolutely no place in our society for antisemitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated."

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The Anti-Defamation Commission condemned the incident in a statement and said the young man was struck three times in the face while walking with an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders.

Commission Chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the teenager was attacked for being "visibly Jewish".

"We are watching something dark and rotten in this country become worse every day," he said.

"An 18-year-old man was verbally intimidated, stalked and beaten because he was visibly Jewish.

"This could have ended in brain trauma, in a hospital corridor, in a family standing over a coffin."

Abramovich urged police to pursue an investigation.

Police said an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

No arrests have been made.

Anybody with information or relevant footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000.

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