In a deeply unsettling event, an arson attack was carried out against a Melbourne synagogue last Friday, causing widespread distress among the Jewish community. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced that federal and state counter-terrorism units are scheduled to discuss the ongoing investigation on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced strong criticism of the Australian federal government in response to the attack.
Although no arrests have been made so far, the Premier assured the public on Sunday that significant progress has been made in the investigation. The Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police’s counter-terrorism units are currently spearheading the investigation.
While the incident has not been officially designated as a terror attack, Premier Allan clarified that the final decision lies with the state and federal police agencies. Prior to the meeting of the law enforcement groups, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his belief that the synagogue attack was a terror act aimed at creating fear among the Jewish community in Melbourne, Victoria, and across the country.
Police are also investigating a bullet found on a footpath outside the synagogue on Saturday. In response to the attack, increased police patrols have been deployed at synagogues and areas frequently visited by Melbourne’s Jewish community.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Albanese met with Jewish community leaders in Perth, publicly denouncing the attack as “anti-Semitic” and “un-Australian.” A Sunday morning vigil near the targeted Adass Israel synagogue drew a crowd of over 1,000 members of the Jewish community.
Daniel Aghion from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry commended the involvement of counter-terrorism units in the investigation, noting it as the third fire-bombing attack on Jewish targets since October 7, referencing incidents at MP Josh Burns’ office and in Sydney.
The Melbourne Jewish community is banding together in the aftermath of the attack. Naomi Levin from the Jewish Community Council of Victoria reassured the community that synagogue leaders are committed to reopening the venue soon. In a display of solidarity, Naser Mashni from the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network also denounced the attack at a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne’s CBD.
