Netanyahu condemns 'reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks'
A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia".
The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night.
He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The man is due to appear in court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon.
Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.
The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning.
Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community.
"Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters.
Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide.
He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"."
Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting.
The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable.
The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators.
"Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said.
The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant.
A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia".
The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night.
He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The man is due to appear in court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon.
Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.
The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning.
Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community.
"Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters.
Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide.
He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"."
Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting.
The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable.
The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators.
"Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said.
The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant.
A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia".
The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night.
He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The man is due to appear in court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon.
Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.
The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning.
Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community.
"Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters.
Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide.
He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"."
Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting.
The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable.
The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators.
"Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said.
The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on a Melbourne synagogue and restaurant.
A western Sydney man has been arrested over the synagogue blaze, which senior politicians described as an "attack on Australia".
The 34-year-old is accused of dousing the building's front door with flammable liquid and setting it alight, forcing 20 congregants to flee the East Melbourne synagogue on Friday night.
He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday and charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The man is due to appear in court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police are also investigating another alleged act of anti-Semitism the same night, when protesters who had splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs, and chanted "death to the IDF" outside Israeli restaurant Miznon.
Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.
The Israeli prime minister urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue's Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning.
Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus, who is Jewish, described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community.
"Let's make sure that this never happens again," Mr Dreyfus told reporters.
Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide.
He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand the Australian government "take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law"."
Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday's meeting.
The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday's attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable.
The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators.
"Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said.
The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Jewish community in fear as attacks continue across Australia
Sky News host Danica De Giorgio discusses the rise in antisemitic attacks across Australia. This comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has once again declared that "antisemitism has no place in Australia". 'A Jewish synagogue was set on fire in Melbourne was set on fire on Friday night. At the same time, masked protestors descended on an Israeli restaurant, throwing chairs and smashing a window,' Ms De Giorgio said.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Australia-first words that Sussan Ley says are a threat to the US relationship
But with Albanese now unable to secure a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump, even as the AUKUS defence pact is being reviewed by the Pentagon and Australia is lobbying for exemptions to US tariffs, Sussan Ley argued it was the wrong time to inch away from the US. 'At a time of global uncertainty, growing conflict and a growing list of issues in the Australia-United States relationship, now is a time to build our influence in Washington, not diminish it,' she said in a statement. 'Many Australians will wonder whether this speech at this time was in our national interest, given so many things crucial to Australia's future are currently being considered by the US administration.' The AUKUS defence pact is a trilateral agreement with the United States and United Kingdom that will allow Australia to acquire nuclear submarine capabilities. James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said that since John Howard it was unusual for Australian prime ministers to speak positively about a more independent foreign policy not tied solely to US interests. Loading 'It's not entirely inconsistent with where Albanese has been headed,' Laurenceson said, pointing to remarks from Trade Minister Don Farrell about growing trade with China following Trump's tariffs. Laurenceson said Albanese would be confident that the Australian public was comfortable with his coming meeting with Xi occurring before a face-to-face with Trump, pointing to polling showing Trump's unpopularity in Australia. Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said on Sky News on Sunday that 'it is embarrassing' Albanese had not yet met Trump. Sydney University international affairs historian James Curran said there was a contradiction in putting a spotlight on sovereignty at a time when Australia was tying itself more firmly into US military framework through the AUKUS submarine pact. He said Albanese's speech was significant because it came at a time when the US was pressuring allies to boost defence spending and contain a rising power in China. 'While it's not a new strategic doctrine, it is saying that there are times when Australia has to determine its own destiny,' Curran said. 'After the best part of two decades, in which the culture of the alliance has been awash in the sentimental claptrap of '100 years of mateship', it's not necessarily a bad thing for the loose cannons in the Trump administration – who are perhaps getting used to allies capitulating – to hear an Australian PM saying that, from time to time, Australia needs to express itself differently.' During the election campaign, Albanese and his ministers used Trump's haphazard approach to discredit the Peter Dutton-led Coalition, whose policy agenda and style had similarities with the US president's.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
The Australia-first words that Sussan Ley says are a threat to the US relationship
But with Albanese now unable to secure a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump, even as the AUKUS defence pact is being reviewed by the Pentagon and Australia is lobbying for exemptions to US tariffs, Sussan Ley argued it was the wrong time to inch away from the US. 'At a time of global uncertainty, growing conflict and a growing list of issues in the Australia-United States relationship, now is a time to build our influence in Washington, not diminish it,' she said in a statement. 'Many Australians will wonder whether this speech at this time was in our national interest, given so many things crucial to Australia's future are currently being considered by the US administration.' The AUKUS defence pact is a trilateral agreement with the United States and United Kingdom that will allow Australia to acquire nuclear submarine capabilities. James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, said that since John Howard it was unusual for Australian prime ministers to speak positively about a more independent foreign policy not tied solely to US interests. Loading 'It's not entirely inconsistent with where Albanese has been headed,' Laurenceson said, pointing to remarks from Trade Minister Don Farrell about growing trade with China following Trump's tariffs. Laurenceson said Albanese would be confident that the Australian public was comfortable with his coming meeting with Xi occurring before a face-to-face with Trump, pointing to polling showing Trump's unpopularity in Australia. Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said on Sky News on Sunday that 'it is embarrassing' Albanese had not yet met Trump. Sydney University international affairs historian James Curran said there was a contradiction in putting a spotlight on sovereignty at a time when Australia was tying itself more firmly into US military framework through the AUKUS submarine pact. He said Albanese's speech was significant because it came at a time when the US was pressuring allies to boost defence spending and contain a rising power in China. 'While it's not a new strategic doctrine, it is saying that there are times when Australia has to determine its own destiny,' Curran said. 'After the best part of two decades, in which the culture of the alliance has been awash in the sentimental claptrap of '100 years of mateship', it's not necessarily a bad thing for the loose cannons in the Trump administration – who are perhaps getting used to allies capitulating – to hear an Australian PM saying that, from time to time, Australia needs to express itself differently.' During the election campaign, Albanese and his ministers used Trump's haphazard approach to discredit the Peter Dutton-led Coalition, whose policy agenda and style had similarities with the US president's.
