Widespread condemnation of antisemitic Melbourne attacks

Melbourne’s Jewish community has been left reeling after a synagogue was set alight with families inside, an Israeli restaurant stormed by protesters chanting “death to the IDF”, and a weapons company allegedly linked to Israel firebombed, in what authorities and Jewish leaders are calling a dangerous escalation of antisemitic hate crimes.

The coordinated attacks, which occurred between Friday night and early Saturday morning, have triggered widespread condemnation from Australian politicians, Jewish organisations, and Israeli officials, with calls for urgent action to protect the Jewish community.

Synagogue torched as worshippers gather

The first attack occurred about 8pm Friday, when a man poured accelerant on the front doors of the East Melbourne Synagogue, one of the city’s oldest Jewish places of worship, and set them alight.

Around 20 people, including children, were gathered inside for a Shabbat dinner. Worshippers were safely evacuated through the rear of the building, with firefighters quickly containing the blaze to the entrance.

Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, who was present at the time, said smoke began entering the building after suspicious movements were noticed on security cameras.

“If we didn’t have a fire station on the corner and if we weren’t as vigilant as we have been training ourselves to be, it could have been a lot worse,” he said.

Victoria Police released CCTV images of the suspect, described as Caucasian, in his 30s, with a beard and long hair, last seen fleeing along Albert Street.

 

Restaurant stormed by masked protesters

Shortly after the synagogue attack, around 8.30pm, about 20 masked individuals, some wearing Palestinian keffiyehs, stormed Miznon, a popular Israeli restaurant in Hardware Lane, overturning tables, throwing chairs and chanting antisemitic slogans.

Terrified patrons fled as chaos erupted, with protesters chanting “Death to the IDF” and “Miznon out of Melbourne”.

A 28-year-old Footscray woman was arrested for hindering police, and investigations into the identities of others involved are ongoing.

The group behind the protest claimed they targeted Miznon due to its alleged links to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation through Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, but denied any connection to the synagogue arson.

Cars torched at Israeli-linked defence company

In a third antisemitic incident, around 4.30am Saturday, a third attack occurred in Greensborough, where three vehicles were set alight outside Lovitt Technologies, a weapons company linked to Israel. Graffiti was also spray-painted on the building.

Few details have been made public, but Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan said the business was “subject to pro-Palestinian activity in the past” which is why it was included in the probe.

None of the incidents were declared terrorism, but local police are working with counterterrorism officers to examine links. Commander Dunstan characterised the events as serious criminal incidents.

“We do recognise that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent, but at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,” she said.
“In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved, or person, to determine if this is, in fact, terrorism.”

Authorities have yet to formally connect the three incidents, but Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan confirmed all are being investigated as hate crimes, with federal police and ASIO assisting.

Condemnation and calls for action

Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece speaks to the media outside the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. (Rachel Ward/AAP VIDEO)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attacks, stating, “Antisemitism has no place in Australia. Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law.”

He added: The Victoria Police are leading the investigation, but we have pledged Australian Federal Police support, as well as our security and intelligence agencies, including ASIO.

The Home Affairs Minister will meet with people tomorrow in Melbourne.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke labelled the incidents “abhorrent and evil”.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the synagogue arson as “disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards”, adding, “Any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of antisemitism. There should be no hesitation in calling this what it is.”

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called the attacks “horrifying”, stating, “This is not protest. This is hate. And it has no place in Australia.”

Jewish leaders have warned that antisemitic violence is spiralling.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin warned the situation is deteriorating, stating, “The antisemitism crisis is not only continuing but getting worse.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion described the attacks as an assault on all Australians, warning, “Australia is becoming known for violent antisemitism. We’ve had more firebombing attacks than any other Jewish community in the world.”

Aghion said the community is “traumatised but unbroken and unbowed”, but fears future attacks could result in severe injury or loss of life.

Opposition frontbencher David Southwick, who is Jewish, labelled the events “domestic terrorism” and accused the state government of complacency.

He called for immediate action, stating, “We cannot let these haters hijack our streets, our city, or our state.”

Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg labelled the attacks a “hate crime”, writing, “Violent antisemitism is a threat to us all and until it’s called out for what it really is, it will continue.”

Israel labels attacks terrorism, demands action

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the incidents, calling them “vile antisemitic attacks” and accusing Australia of failing to confront rising antisemitism.

“Targeting Jewish houses of worship and an Israeli restaurant is terrorism, aimed at intimidating an entire community simply because of their religion and identity,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel added.

Haskel warned Australia’s “weakness and silence” would only embolden extremists, stating, “For too long there have been no real consequences for those spreading hate and inciting violence.”

Community fears and resilience

In the aftermath of the attacks, flowers and messages of support have been left outside the East Melbourne Synagogue.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria CEO Naomi Levin praised the public solidarity, saying, “These extremists are outliers. Australians are not violent or aggressive — this is not who we are.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler warned the community narrowly avoided disaster, stating, “About twenty Victorians could have been murdered last night, and another Melbourne synagogue destroyed, had this terrorist attack not been stopped in its tracks.”

Leibler also condemned the antisemitic chants at Miznon, linking them to recent global events. “Just days after Glastonbury revellers were led to chant for death, their chant was repeated in Melbourne by a mob storming a restaurant much loved by the Jewish community and many others.”

Zionism Victoria president Elyse Schachna said the wave of hate was tearing at Victoria’s social fabric.

“This violent extremism is infiltrating every part of our society, and it’s ruining the fabric of multicultural Victoria that we all used to take immense pride in,” she said.

“We must be unequivocal: the pogrom on Friday night at both an Israeli restaurant and a synagogue clearly demonstrates this isn’t just about Israel. It’s always been about Jews.”

Rabbi Gutnick said security at the synagogue may be tightened but warned against turning the area into “Fort Knox”, adding, “It’s a peaceful, beautiful space, we all get along, and we want it to stay welcoming.”

Counterterrorism officers are now working alongside local police to investigate the intent and ideology behind the attacks, with authorities confirming all possible motivations are being examined.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.