Police in Melbourne are searching for three individuals believed to have intentionally set fire to a synagogue in a suburb on Friday morning. Two witnesses reported seeing two masked people pouring liquid accelerant on the floor before fleeing when they noticed a congregant. Emergency services were called at 4 a.m., and although no one else was present, one member of the community suffered minor injuries.
The authorities are investigating what appears to be a targeted incident, with Victoria Police’s arson squad saying those responsible will face consequences to ensure the safety of worshippers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned antisemitism, calling it “an outrage” and expressing zero tolerance for such behavior. The state government has also confirmed that the attack is believed to be an act of antisemitism, amid a growing trend of incidents targeting Jews and Muslims in Australia since October 2023.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/world/australia/synagogue-fire-melbourne.html