By Blair Jackson
An anti-hate taskforce will assemble in Melbourne this week in the wake of the latest violent anti-Semitic incidents.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has pulled together the taskforce after a synagogue was firebombed, a Jewish-owned restaurant was stormed while people ate inside, and another business was vandalised; all across this past weekend.
Ms Allan made a private visit to the targeted synagogue on Monday morning before the taskforce meets later in the week.
The Premier has tapped the Police Minister, Lord Mayor and police executives for the “anti-hate” taskforce, Ms Allan’s office says. Invitations will go out to representatives of Melbourne’s Jewish community.
Speaking outside the synagogue on Monday, Ms Allan said Jewish Victorians were an important part of the community.
“I’ll continue to stand with a strong, proud Jewish community here in Victoria every single day.
“They are a big, important part of our community. They demand our support at this most difficult time.
“They demand our action, which is why, alongside strengthening laws and the response of Victoria Police, we will continue to work to build a stronger place where everyone can be who they are and practise their faith safe and free from hate.”
The first of this weekend’s three incidents happened at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation at 8pm on Friday as about 20 adults and children worshipped inside.
Angelo Loras, 34, from NSW, allegedly poured accelerant on the front door and set fire to the synagogue. Nobody inside was physically injured. Mr Loras was arrested about 24 hours later and has been charged with recklessly endangering life.
Police are still assessing whether the incident constituted an act of terrorism.
In a separate incident in the CBD on Friday night, an Israeli-owned restaurant was targeted. As people ate, a group of people who had split off from an anti-police violence protest harassed and intimidated diners. This incident happened on busy Hardware Lane.
A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons.
Police have now released footage of a third incident, this too believed to have anti-Israeli motivations.
This act of vandalism happened at a business in the northeast suburb of Greensborough about 4am on Saturday.
Police say five people entered the property on Para Rd and set fire to three cars. One of the cars was destroyed.
“The group also used red spray paint to write various slogans on the cars and on a building wall,” a police spokesperson said.
Police released footage of the attack early on Monday; masked people set two cars on fire, while one person spray paints one of the cars.
“While investigators continue to liaise with Counter Terrorism Command to establish if there are any connections to the arson on the synagogue in East Melbourne and a public order incident on Hardware Lane, at this time no links have been identified,” a police spokesperson said.
“There is absolutely no place at all in our society for ant-Semitic behaviour.”
Police say this group took off on e-bikes in a south-westerly direction along Plenty River. All were wearing black hoodies, with backpacks and gloves.