Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to take decisive action against an apparent arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne. The incident occurred on Friday night when a man poured liquid on the front door and set it on fire, forcing 20 people inside to evacuate without injury.
Police are investigating if the attack is linked to another antisemitic incident that took place at a Jewish-owned restaurant in the city’s business district. The Prime Minister has promised to use “the full force of the law” against those responsible for such acts, and his government will provide support to combat antisemitism.
This incident marks the latest escalation in tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict, which have led to a surge in antisemitic attacks in Australia. The country’s Jewish community has expressed concern about the increasing violence, with co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, calling it “a severe escalation directed towards our community”.
The ongoing Middle East conflict has sparked protests from both Jewish and Muslim communities in Australia, leading to a sharp increase in Islamophobia and antisemitism. The Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 1,200 deaths and thousands more hostages, further fueling tensions.
The Australian government has already taken steps to combat hate crimes, including appointing a special envoy for antisemitism and passing tougher laws against such attacks. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address the growing problem of antisemitism in Australia.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l4kljezydo