Worshippers at a Melbourne synagogue were forced to flee after it was set on fire in a suspected hate crime, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly condemned. The attack occurred at the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea around 4:00 AM local time on Friday, with firefighters arriving to find the building fully ablaze.
At the time of the attack, a few people were inside for morning prayers and reported seeing firebombs thrown. One person was injured, and the fire caused significant damage. Police believe the fire was deliberately set but have not yet determined the motive.
Prime Minister Albanese called the attack an “act of hate” and said such violence targeting a place of worship was an “outrage.” He emphasized his strong stance against antisemitism and vowed that the perpetrators would face full legal consequences. The Australian Federal Police have been called in to assist in the investigation.
Detectives have suggested that two masked individuals may have used accelerants to start the fire, and they are seeking public help to identify the culprits. Witnesses and those with footage of the area are encouraged to come forward. Local Jewish community leaders, who have noticed an uptick in antisemitic incidents recently, expressed concern that the attack was part of a broader pattern of rising hate.
