Australian PM vows ‘full drive of regulation’ after arson assault at Melbourne synagogue

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Contained in the synagogue, some 20 folks had sat down for dinner when the assault occurred

JAMES ROSS/EPA/Shutterstock Fire marks on the blue door of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in Melbourne, with two men to the left in front of an open window — Contained in the synagogue, some 20 folks had sat down for dinner when the assault occurred

Australia’s prime minister has promised to take robust motion following an obvious arson assault on a synagogue in Melbourne.

Police are searching for a person who poured liquid on the synagogue’s entrance door earlier than setting it on hearth on Friday night time. Some 20 folks having dinner inside on the time had been evacuated with none accidents.

Police are additionally attempting to find out if the incident is linked to an assault in opposition to a Jewish-owned restaurant within the metropolis on the identical night time.

A string of antisemitic assaults have occurred in Australia prior to now few months, sparked by tensions over the Israel-Hamas struggle.

Protesters on the restaurant shouted slogans in opposition to the Israeli navy

JOSH STANYER/EPA/Shutterstock Police take away an anti-Israeli protester with a black face mask, long dark hair and a white top from the restaurant where more police officers and others can be seen — Protesters on the restaurant shouted slogans in opposition to the Israeli navy

The Australian authorities has appointed a particular envoy to fight antisemitism, and handed harder legal guidelines in opposition to hate crimes following a wave of high-profile assaults.

“Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated following the assault on the East Melbourne synagogue.

“These answerable for these surprising acts should face the complete drive of the regulation and my authorities will present all needed assist towards this effort,” Albanese stated.

It’s not clear if the incident was linked to the assault on the Miznon restaurant within the metropolis’s enterprise district throughout which rioters broke in, throwing chairs and different objects whereas chanting “dying to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]”. A few of the attackers had been led away in handcuffs.

“These occasions are a extreme escalation directed in direction of our neighborhood,” stated Alex Ryvchin, co-chief govt of the Govt Council of Australian Jewry.

“There have been too many antisemitic assaults in Australia,” Israel’s International Minister Gideon Saar stated.

“The Australian authorities should do extra to combat this poisonous illness.”

The continued battle within the Center East has turn into a risky political concern in Australia.

It has resulted in protests from each Jewish and Muslim communities, in addition to a pointy uptick in Islamophobia and antisemitism.

The Israeli navy launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the 7 October 2023 assault, during which about 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage.

At the least 57,268 folks have been killed in Gaza since then, in accordance with the territory’s well being ministry.