A man’s football jersey celebrating the October 7 terror attacks has sparked fury after he was pictured wearing it at an popular Australian tourist spot.
Police are now investigating after the man wore the jersey to Katoomba’s Scenic World in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney on Saturday.
The image, taken by another visitor, showed the words ‘October 7’ printed on the back of the clothing marking the day Hamas launched their attack on Israel.
The football jersey included the colours of Palestine’s flag and a watermelon slice, which has become symbolic of Palestinian resistance to Israel’s retaliatory attack on Gaza.
More than 1100 people were killed in the surprise October 7 attack, including festival goers at an open air concert, and women and children killed in their home.
Hundreds more hostages were taken by Hamas forces, including 30 children among the 250 seized by the militia forces.
The visitor, who did not wished to be named, said they were shocked by the message on the clothing.
‘Disgusted, appalled and fearful for this country where the cruellest, most vile terror attacks are openly celebrated and normalised,’ they said.
A man who wore a jersey (pictured) recognizing the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas has left Aussies furious with police now investigating the incident
The man was seen wearing the jersey at the Scenic World (pictured stock image) in Katoomba, a popular parkland near the Blue Mountains in Sydney’s west
The jersey has also been slammed by Jewish leaders who said it condoned acts of antisemitism.
Executive Council of Australia Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told Daily Mail Australia that such actions must be punished.
‘We’re living in a time when individuals feel they can publicly declare their support for the mass murder, rape and torture of Jewish people with pride and impunity,’ Mr Rynchin said.
‘This is a disturbing societal development that threatens to become normalised.’
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission said the jersey represented a form of hate speech.
‘This t-shirt is beyond words and is a stab in the heart of every Jew here and across the world,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I’m sure that most Australians would feel shocked to the core by this vomit-inducing incident.’
The clothing was also condemned by political figures including NSW Premier Chris Minns.
‘What an odious thing to celebrate,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.‘Wearing a shirt celebrating a terror attack is completely reprehensible.’
The man was standing in front of another man and a woman wearing a hijab, when the picture was taken and appeared to be gesturing in their direction.
Since the terror attacks, Israel has responded with a major military operation in a bid to defeat Hamas militants with a series of aerial and ground raids in Gaza.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The attire referenced the devastating attacks launched by Hamas last year (pictured) which led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and foreigners
Alex Ryvchin (pictured) slammed the item of clothing and said the attire condones acts of antisemitism.
Visitors to Scenic World are understood to have reported the shirt to staff. NSW Police were later informed and visited Scenic World on Sunday.
They made inquiries at the venue from anyone who saw the shirt but no charges have been laid so far.
A Scenic World spokesperson declined to comment when contacted about the matter.
A NSW Police spokesperson said officers are conducting inquiries into the incident.
The incident comes after a motorist who was driving a ute in western Sydney last month displayed ‘OCT7TH’ number plates.
Publicly threatening or inciting acts of violence is considered an offence, under section 93Z of the Crimes Act of NSW.
The Federal Government passed laws in January banning the Nazi salute and Nazi symbols printed on flags and t-shirts.
The counterterrorism legislation also criminalises acts of of ‘glorifying and praising terrorism’.
NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) also condemned the insensitive jersey
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk