Police say they are investigating the vandalism of an iconic New South Wales tourist attraction as an act of hate speech under laws introduced and strengthened in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.Warning: This story contains language that may offend readers.The words "F** Israel" and an image of the Palestinian flag were found on the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour in the early hours of Sunday.The graffiti on the attraction, which is in a prominent position on the Pacific Highway, was cleaned off hours later.Coffs Clarence Police District Superintendent Joanne Schultz told the ABC Coffs Coast Breakfast radio program that police were investigating the incident under new reforms."We're certainly investigating it as a suspected hate speech offence It is quite broad legislation so I would encourage people not to post that information, those images," she said. The Big Banana general manager Michael Lockman said he believed the venue had been targeted by the same group in a previous incident, but declined to comment further due to fear of retaliation.A spokesperson for NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemned the incident, saying NSW Police had been given stronger powers to respond to this type of conduct.“The graffiti in Coffs Harbour is appalling and police are investigating," a statement read."Antisemitism is a stain on our community and it will not be tolerated."Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour or has dash-cam footage from the area between 1am and 4am on Sunday to contact them.