Arsonists caused extensive damage to a synagogue in the city of Melbourne on Friday in what Australia’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned as an antisemitic attack.
“There is no place in Australia for an outrage such as this,” Albanese told reporters in the city of Perth after the Adass Israel Synagogue was engulfed in flames. “To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism, is attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security.”
A witness who came to the synagogue for early morning prayers saying they saw “two individuals wearing masks” spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms inside the building, Detective Inspector Chris Murray of Victoria Police told reporters at the scene.
He added that quickly fled the scene after starting the blaze, but did not comment when asked about a motive for the attack.
About 60 firefighters with 17 fire trucks responded to the fire.
Some items were recovered from the synagogue despite the extensive damage.
Amir Maimon, Israel’s ambassador to Australia, also condemned the attack on X, describing the attack as “heinous.”
Maimon also noted that dozens of pro-Palestinian activists staged a three-hour protest outside The Great Synagogue in downtown Sydney on Wednesday, demanding sanctions against Israel, according to the Associated Press. Worshippers were prevented from leaving the synagogue during the demonstration.
Jacinta Allan, the premier of the state of Victoria, pledged $100,000 AUD ($64,278 USD) for the synagogue’s reconstruction.
Promising to increase the police presence at significant locations including schools and public gathering spots like local shopping centers, she said in a statement that she condemned “this act of cowardice, hate and fear. We condemn violence, hate and antisemitism.”
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria has expressed their solidarity with the victims and their families in these times, offering prayers for their speedy and complete recovery. Additionally, they have extended their support to the wider Jewish community as it begins towards healing from this tragic incident.
“We were absolutely shocked, but not surprised, to hear that a synagogue here in Melbourne had been attacked overnight.” the CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Naomi Levin said in a statement.
Similarly, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, Robert Gregory, said in a Facebook post that he was “outraged but not at all surprised by the attack.”
“We have spent over a year warning the Albanese Government that its actions were fueling antisemitism and leading to attacks on Jews.” he said.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
