'Cowards': Victorian premier lashes out at vandals who left bloodied dolls at Bendigo office
Vandals have targeted the Victorian premier's office for the second time in a month, this time placing bloodied dolls at the scene.
Bloodied baby dolls alongside handmade rockets were left outside Jacinta Allan's Bendigo office and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's Niddrie office early this morning.
Allan this morning labelled those involved as "cowards" and said the behaviour only caused further division and grief for local Middle Eastern communities.
READ MORE: Vandals smash windows of Victorian premier's office in Bendigo
Bloodied baby dolls alongside handmade rockets were left outside Jacinta Allan's Bendigo office and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's office in Niddrie early this morning, while windows were smashed. Supplied
"These sort of actions don't provide a pathway to resolution," she said.
"It only drives anxiety and anger in our local community.
"The cowards who came to my office under the cover of darkness with hammers - that is not how you have political debate and discussion in Victoria.
"That behaviour is not tolerated."
The pro-Palestinian group No More Bodies in Gaza has claimed responsibility for the display.
It's believed a vandalism attack earlier this month is not linked to this morning's incident.
READ MORE: Council votes down motion for ceasefire in Gaza at fiery meeting in Melbourne
Jacinta Allan today called the vandals cowards. Joe Armao/The Age
In a statement, the activists claimed the action was to protest the Labor government's partnership with Israel-based military technology company and defence contractor, Elbit Systems.
It said the displays left outside the offices were modelled off footage coming out of Palestine.
"These weapons have been used to kill almost 38,000 Palestinians and maim and injury 68,000 more in the space of 138 days," the group said.
"At least 14,000 of the dead are children.
"We call on the Victorian Government to end all partnerships and collaboration with the Israeli industrial war machine."
READ MORE: Local group claims responsibility for confronting protests outside Labor MPs' offices in Melbourne
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll's office in Niddrie was also targeted. Supplied
Ben Carroll today denied the claims the state government was linked to Israeli weapons manufacturers.
"We signed an MOU to get more flights directly from Melbourne to Tel Aviv. We signed an MOU with Monash University to get the best healthcare here in Melbourne, Victoria. We signed an MOU with their start-up innovation sector," he said.
"The most I have seen that Israel and Victoria have in common from a defence point of view is their exhibitions at the Avalon Airshow."
It's understood the incident was recorded on CCTV.
Police are investigating the two incidents.
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