A shul in Melbourne was targeted in a deliberate arson attack on Friday night, forcing members of the Jewish community to flee the building. The attack comes seven months after a similar act of destruction leveled another shul in the city, injuring one person.
According to a statement released by Victoria Police, a man approached the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation around 8 p.m., poured accelerant on the front double doors, and ignited the fire. At the time, roughly 20 people were inside the shul enjoying a Shabbos seudah. They escaped through a back exit, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread beyond the entrance. Damage was limited to the front doors, as shown in images released by authorities.
Police reported that the suspect was spotted walking through a nearby park before approaching the shul. After setting the fire, he ran from the scene. Authorities have not yet identified the individual.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the attack, linking it to the earlier incident and accusing the perpetrators of seeking to terrorize the Jewish population.
“Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate, and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of antisemitism,” she stated.
Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan of Victoria Police addressed reporters, describing the fire as a “serious crime.” While the department’s Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit is leading the probe, officials emphasized that it has not yet been classified as terrorism.
“I’d like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent. But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,” Dunstan said.
“In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved, or person, to determine if this is in fact terrorism. At the moment, we are categorizing it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly,” she added.
Designating the attack as terrorism would allow for additional resources and could lead to more severe criminal charges.
Danny Segal, president of the shul, urged Australians to unite against hatred and violence.
“We’re here to be in peace, you know, we’re here for everybody to live together and we’ve got a fresh start in Australia, such a beautiful country, and what they’re doing is just not fair and not right, and as Australians, we should stand up and everybody should stand up,” Segal said.
Police released surveillance footage of a man they hope to question in connection with the fire. Though not officially labeled a suspect, he is described as being in his mid-30s, with a beard and long hair, dressed in dark clothing and carrying a large black bag.
Later that same evening, a separate disturbing incident took place at a Miznon restaurant in downtown Melbourne. Around 20 masked individuals reportedly harassed patrons, damaging property and creating panic. One window was broken, and police arrested a 28-year-old woman for obstructing officers.
Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, condemned the restaurant attack and said the demonstrators terrorized customers by shouting, “Death to the IDF.”
“Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews,” Abramovich said.
Mayor Nicholas Reece of Melbourne denounced both attacks, expressing deep concern.
“These criminal acts against a Melbourne synagogue and an Israeli business are absolutely shocking,” Reece said. “All of us as a community need to stand up against it.”
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel also responded to the news on social media, calling the incidents “yet another reminder of how far racist, antisemitic hate crimes have spread in the heart of Australia.”
“Israel stands with you,” Haskel wrote.
Investigators are looking into whether there is any connection between the shul arson and the restaurant incident. They are also probing another case involving property damage and fire at a business in Greensborough, a suburb of the city.
Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, sparked the war in Gaza, Australia has experienced a troubling surge in antisemitic violence and intimidation.
” … at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident …”
For those of us not well-versed in Australian law, here is the definition of a Terrorist Act:
“A ‘terrorist act’ is defined under Australian law as an act or threat intended to advance:
– a political
– ideological, or
– religious cause.
This is done by coercing or intimidating an Australian or foreign government or the public.
This action must:
– cause serious harm to people or property
– create a serious risk to the health and safety to the public, or
– seriously disrupt trade, critical infrastructure or electronic systems.”
Given the nature of the attack, what probability is there that this was not a terrorist attack?
Just leave Australia . Go away/far away.