By Madeline Cove
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a firebombing attack on a Melbourne synagogue and a separate incident at an Israeli restaurant, calling them “vile antisemitic hate crimes” and urging the Australian government to take action.
“Vile antisemitic attacks, accompanied by chants of ‘Death to the IDF’ and an attempt to harm a house of worship, are serious hate crimes that must be uprooted,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement on Saturday.
The fire broke out at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation around 8pm Friday while about 20 worshippers were inside observing Shabbat. All escaped safely. Firefighters contained the blaze to the entrance.
Police allege a 34-year-old man from Toongabbie, NSW, poured flammable liquid on the front doors and set them alight before fleeing.
He was arrested in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday night and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire, and other offences. He will face court today.
Police are investigating whether the attack qualifies as a terrorism incident.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said there have been “too many antisemitic attacks in Australia” and urged the government to act. President Isaac Herzog described the attempted arson as “chilling,” warning: “This must be the last.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the act “disgraceful” and “abhorrent,” especially as it occurred during Shabbat.
Rabbi Dovid Gutnik said the outcome could have been far worse.
“There were children playing … it could have been a lot worse because those doors are wooden and there’s carpet,” he said.
“We were lucky the response was quick.”
Victoria Police are engaging with the local Jewish community and reviewing CCTV and forensic evidence. An arson chemist will examine the scene.