In Melbourne, worshippers at the Adass Israel Synagogue were forced to flee after the building was set ablaze in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned as an “act of hate.” The fire occurred early Friday morning, just after 4:00 am local time (17:00 GMT Thursday).
Firefighters arrived to find the synagogue engulfed in flames. According to local reports, a few people were inside the building for morning prayers at the time. Witnesses claimed to have seen firebombs being thrown. One person sustained injuries, and the synagogue suffered significant damage.
Police have confirmed the fire was deliberately lit but have yet to determine a motive. Witnesses reported seeing two masked individuals spreading an accelerant inside the synagogue before the blaze.
Prime Minister Albanese denounced the attack, calling it a “clear attempt to instill fear in the community.” In a statement, he described the act as an “outrage,” emphasizing his “zero tolerance for antisemitism.” He assured the public that the Australian Federal Police would assist the state of Victoria in apprehending those responsible.
A man inside the synagogue, Yumi Friedman, described hearing glass shatter and feeling the heat from the flames. He injured his hand while attempting to re-enter the building to fight the fire.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray appealed to the public for information, particularly any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area. Authorities have also increased police patrols to ensure the safety of local worshippers.
Jewish community leaders have expressed concern, linking the attack to a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia. Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the community had long feared such an escalation.
This report is based on a BBC report.
