Australia’s prime minister has promised to take strong action following an apparent arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne.
A string of antisemitic attacks have occurred in Australia in the past few months, sparked by tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
The Australian government has appointed a special envoy to combat antisemitism, and passed tougher laws against hate crimes following a wave of high-profile attacks.
“Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said following the attack on the East Melbourne synagogue.
“These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community,” said Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
In response to an apparent arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne, the prime minister of Australia has pledged to take decisive action.
The man who poured liquid on the front door of the synagogue and then set it on fire on Friday night is being sought by police. At the time, about 20 people were eating dinner inside; they were all safely evacuated.
Additionally, police are attempting to ascertain whether the incident is connected to an attack that occurred that same evening against a Jewish-owned restaurant in the city.
In recent months, tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict have led to a spate of antisemitic attacks in Australia.
Following a string of high-profile attacks, the Australian government strengthened its anti-hate crime legislation and designated a special envoy to fight antisemitism.
“Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared after the synagogue attack in East Melbourne.
Albanese declared, “My government will provide all necessary support toward this effort and those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law.”.
The attack on the Miznon restaurant in the city’s business district, where rioters broke in and threw chairs and other items while yelling “death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]” is unclearly connected to this incident. Handcuffs were used to lead a few of the attackers away.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, stated, “These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community.”.
“Too many antisemitic attacks have occurred in Australia,” stated Gideon Saar, the foreign minister of Israel.
“The government of Australia needs to take more action to combat this harmful illness. “..”.
The ongoing Middle East conflict has turned into a contentious political issue in Australia.
Both the Muslim and Jewish communities have protested, and antisemitism and Islamophobia have sharply increased as a result.
In response to the October 7, 2023, attack, which claimed approximately 1,200 lives and resulted in 251 hostages, the Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza.
Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports that at least 57,268 people have died in the territory.
