Man charges alleged that arson attacks Melbourne synagogue and believers inside
Australian police accused a man of alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, which is linked to believers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the country’s Jewish community.
20 people inside the East Melbourne synagogue were not injured and they fled the fire on Friday night. Firefighters put out the fire in the Victorian capital.
Australia has experienced several anti-Semitism incidents since the Israeli-Gaza War began in October 2023.
Police said late Saturday, anti-terrorism detectives arrested a 34-year-old resident in Sydney, the capital of neighbouring New South Wales, accusing him of committing crimes including criminal damage.
“The man allegedly poured flammable liquid on the front door of the building and burned it before escaping the scene,” police said in a statement.
The suspect, who refused to be named, was detained in custody after hearing his case in Melbourne's local court on Sunday and did not file a bail application, according to the ABC.
Synagogue arson for intentional destruction
Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue fire is related to the riots at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne on Friday night, with one of the people arrested for blocking police.
According to the Executive Committee of the Australian Jewish umbrella group, the restaurant has suffered widespread damage.
It says the fire in Melbourne's oldest synagogue was set up when those who sat on Sabbath supper.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog took to X, “totally condemned the evil arson attacks targeting Melbourne's historic, oldest synagogue, and people gathered for a meal in Israeli restaurants.”
“This is not the first attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last attack,” Herzog said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incidents as “serious hate crimes” that he regards “maximum gravity.”
Netanyahu said on X: “The State of Israel will continue to stand with the Australian Jewish community.”
The incident occurred at another synagogue in Melbourne who was arsonist against the target.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said late Saturday that the people attacked on Friday should face the full force of the law.
“My government will provide all the necessary support for this effort,” Albanes posted on X.
Australian houses, schools, synagogues and vehicles are targets of anti-Semitic destruction and arson. Police said in March that the incidents included false plans for organized crime to use explosive caravans to attack Sydney synagogues to divert police resources.
