More than 30 swastikas were found emblazoned on various sites across Bondi on Sunday morning and the “disturbing” graffiti is clearly a targeted attack given the seaside suburb is home to a large Jewish community, says Australian Jewish Association president Dr David Adler.

“It’s certainly been increasing in the last couple of years.

“Leaflets were dropped last year in letter boxes in the Bondi area and posters have been put up at university campuses in Sydney that have very ugly antisemitic messages.”

Dr Adler said the presence of the Jewish community in the area was obvious, with its members commonly wearing a yarmulke, or brimless hat, and places of worship located nearby.

“Bondi is also home to a number of Holocaust survivors and it is particularly upsetting to them for obvious reasons,” he said.

“It’s contrary to Australian values, we are a society which values religious freedom and expression and tolerance of different religious practices.

“Any reasonable person must condemn it.”

“What an abominable, intolerant and shameful act,” he said.

“Antisemitism, racism, and hatred in all its forms has no place in our community.”

Federal member for Wentworth Dr Kerryn Phelps also took to social media to condemn the behaviour.

“All Australians would be saddened and outraged by news that more than 30 swastikas were graffitied around Bondi Beach overnight,” she said on Facebook.

“Wentworth prides itself as a tolerant and harmonious community, welcoming people from all around the world.

“There is no place for antisemitism in Australia.”

Dr Adler said police in Bondi were investigating the graffiti attack.