A synagogue in Melbourne was set on fire early Friday morning, with two masked suspects still at large. The attack, condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as an act of antisemitism, has left worshippers shaken and raised concerns about rising hate crimes.
The Adass Israel Synagogue, which holds overnight prayers, was targeted around 4 a.m. when liquid was thrown inside and set alight. One person suffered burns while trying to escape through the back door. Police are investigating what they describe as a deliberate attack on one of Australia’s most significant Jewish centers.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray described the incident as “targeted” but did not rule out a terror attack, citing the rise in antisemitic incidents since Israel’s war against Hamas began in October 2023. The government has increased funding for safety and security measures at Jewish sites to combat rising hate crimes, including $25 million spent so far.
Community leaders, including CEO Robert Gregory of the Australian Jewish Association and executive officer Sarah Schwartz of the Jewish Council of Australia, have expressed outrage and condemnation over the attack. They warn that the community is not being taken seriously enough to address the growing issue of antisemitism.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/05/world/fire-australia-synagogue-intl-hnk/index.html