Counter-terrorism police and arson squads are investigating the incendiary bombing of a Melbourne synagogue, which both the Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier have condemned as an act of anti-Semitism.
A major fire broke out at the Adas Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, south-east of Melbourne, on Friday morning, and police are treating it as a deliberately lit blaze.
Victoria Police are searching for two masked individuals who were seen spraying accelerant at the synagogue before the fire broke out. Around 4:10 a.m., about 60 firefighters and 17 trucks responded to the synagogue.
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan visited the scene on Friday afternoon and said the attack on a Jewish place of worship was “nothing but an act of anti-Semitism”. Alan, who was joined by Jewish leaders, pledged to donate $100,000 to help rebuild the synagogue, which police said had suffered significant damage.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that he “unequivocally” condemned the “deliberate and unlawful attack”.
Speaking in Western Australia, Ms Albanese said attacks on places of worship were “an assault on Australian values”.
“Attacking synagogues is an act of anti-Semitism and an attack on the right of all Australians to practice their faith in peace and security,” he said.
Mr Albanese said all resources requested by the Australian Federal Police and other agencies would be provided to ensure those responsible were held to account for the “shocking crime”.
Mr Albanese confirmed early Friday that the Counter-Terrorism Joint Strike Force would work with Victoria Police in the investigation.
Peter Dutton said the “shocking” attack was predictable as anti-Semitism is on the rise in Australia.
“Seeing synagogues, places of worship, being incendiary bombed is unwelcome and has no place in our country,” he told reporters.
Allan said Friday he stood by the community during “one of its darkest days.”
She condemned the “hateful” and “violent” actions.
“How could an attack on a synagogue be anything other than an act of anti-Semitism?” she said.
Asked whether the incident was domestic terrorism, Allan said police had not ruled out anything.
However, the prime minister's press conference was cut short after hecklers interrupted and the Jewish community asked how they could trust the prime minister to keep them safe.
Mr Allan said the government's anti-defamation bill, which is being introduced in the state parliament, would create new criminal offenses for serious defamation, such as inciting hatred against someone on the basis of their beliefs or threatening to cause physical harm. was said to be introduced.
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The attack drew widespread condemnation from state and federal lawmakers. Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Liberal Party Deputy Leader David Southwick said the Jewish community needed answers amid “the worst levels of anti-Semitism in living memory”.
“Nothing justifies the destruction of places of worship, and those responsible should be brought to the full force of the law,” they said in a statement.
Jewish groups stressed Friday that they were shocked but not surprised by the attack.
Australian Jewish Executive Council president Daniel Aghion said it was a “tragic day”.
“We have been warning about this risk since October 7 last year,” he said.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltman described “two thugs” who smashed the synagogue's windows, threw fuel on the floor and set it on fire as people prepared for services early Friday morning.
“This is outrageous,” he told reporters at the scene.
“Tonight is the Sabbath, and we must all go find the serenity, fellowship, and sense of community by coming together on the Sabbath and praying together as one community.”
Lt. Chris Murray of the Arson and Explosives Unit said witnesses who entered the synagogue for morning prayers saw two masked men inside who appeared to be dispersing accelerants, who have not yet been identified. admitted that he had seen the person.
Mr Murray said one witness suffered a hand injury.
He said he wanted to assure the community that police were treating the incident “extremely seriously” and stressed that patrols in the area would be increased.
“I'm here to give the community reassurance that we're going to do everything we can to bring these people to justice,” he told reporters outside the synagogue.
He said the motive for the attack was unknown.
Mr Murray said he believed the incident was caught on surveillance camera, but no footage was available. Police are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area after 3 a.m. Friday to contact Crime Stoppers.
Synagogue director Benjamin Klein told Channel 9 he was “shocked” by the incident.
“[We] I never thought that would happen to us here in Melbourne. “We are a quiet community, keeping our heads down, not bothering anyone and praying for everyone's safety,” he said.
