Melbourne Synagogue Arson Investigated as Terror Attack
An arson attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue is being treated as a terrorist incident, Australian officials announced Monday. This attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, targeted one of Australia’s most prominent Jewish centers, sparking heightened security measures and the formation of a national task force to combat antisemitism.
Two worshippers present during the attack reported seeing individuals pouring liquid on the synagogue’s floor before the flames erupted. Describing the incident as “horrific, callous, and targeted,” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed that the investigation is being handled by a joint counter-terrorism team comprising Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
Authorities are actively searching for three suspects linked to the attack, though details about their identities or connections to previous offenses have not been disclosed. Commissioner Patton reassured the public that there is no evidence of imminent threats against other synagogues in Melbourne but noted that police patrols in areas with significant Jewish populations would continue.
This attack marks the third antisemitic incident in Australia in recent months. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern about the growing trend of antisemitic acts, which include a fire at a Jewish minister’s Melbourne office and vandalism of cars in a Jewish neighborhood in Sydney.
In response, the Australian Federal Police launched Operation Avalite, a dedicated effort to address these attacks. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw emphasized that Australia’s Jewish community is being targeted “because of who they are,” and pledged the AFP’s commitment to preventing crimes that threaten the country’s security and social fabric.
To bolster protection for Jewish community sites, including synagogues and schools, the Australian government has committed an additional 32.5 million Australian dollars (approximately USD 21 million) for security enhancements. These measures come amid a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
The attack drew international condemnation, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who labeled it “an abhorrent act of antisemitism.” He linked the firebombing to Australia’s support of a United Nations resolution calling for Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. A statement from Netanyahu’s office claimed that Australia’s position fueled antisemitic sentiments.
Prime Minister Albanese defended Australia’s vote on the UN resolution, stating that it was aligned with the stance of 157 other nations, including many of Australia’s Five Eyes intelligence partners. He reiterated that Australia’s long-standing bipartisan policy supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and affirmed that this position remains unchanged.
The attack on the Melbourne synagogue has reignited calls for stronger measures to combat antisemitism, as Jewish communities across Australia demand more robust protections and government intervention. The investigation continues as police pursue the suspects and maintain heightened security at Jewish sites nationwide.
