The driver of a car bearing custom number plates that appear to reference a deadly attack on Israeli communities has been ordered to return them or risk the vehicle’s registration being cancelled.

A white Ford Ranger ute with the numberplate OCT7TH was spotted in Sydney, sparking a complaint to supplier myPlates.

The plates were described as “repugnant” by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Peter Wertheim as they appear to reference an attack on southern Israel on October 7.

More than 1200 Israelis were killed and up to 240 taken hostage in the attack by Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by the federal government.

Israel’s subsequent bombardment, blockade and ground invasion has killed nearly 28,000 Palestinians and left more than 67,000 wounded, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s health ministry.

Tweet from @Freya_J_Leach

Roads Minister John Graham on Thursday said his department became aware of the complaint the previous day and “acted immediately”.

“We don’t know the story behind it. But whatever the story is, this is something that if people saw it they would be upset and we want it off the road rapidly,” he told Sydney radio 2GB.

“We’ve issued an order for it to be recalled … the request is now that these plates are in within 48 hours, but it might take up to a week.

“If they don’t come back in, the registration will be cancelled altogether and the car is coming off the road.”

But Wertheim said more needed to be done to prevent people misusing licence plates to spread political messages.

“The measures taken by state and territory transport authorities have clearly been inadequate,” he said.

“It is time for these bodies to work together to put into effect a nationwide crackdown to stop this appalling practice once and for all.”

MyPlates and state authority Transport for NSW have been contacted for comment.

– AAP