Man charged over synagogue firebombing
Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight.
He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance.
A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD.
The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force.
A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations.
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.
Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months.
Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.
"If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said.
"This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do."
Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night.
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.
No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation.
Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism.
"Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X.
"There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia."
A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community.
Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight.
He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance.
A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD.
The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force.
A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations.
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.
Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months.
Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.
"If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said.
"This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do."
Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night.
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.
No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation.
Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism.
"Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X.
"There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia."
A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community.
Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight.
He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance.
A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD.
The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force.
A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations.
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.
Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months.
Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.
"If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said.
"This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do."
Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night.
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.
No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation.
Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism.
"Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X.
"There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia."
A 34-year-old man has been charged over the firebombing of a synagogue that's sent shock waves through Australia's Jewish community.
Twenty congregants were forced to flee the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight.
He fled on foot, while firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance.
A NSW man was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old will appear before the bail and remand court on Sunday.
Detectives will investigate the accused man's intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Victoria Police said it was lucky no one was injured in another alleged act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD.
The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force.
A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations.
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.
Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months.
Detectives are investigating if there are any links between the three incidents and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration to be held in Melbourne on Sunday.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast.
The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.
"If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said.
"This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do."
Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night.
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.
No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation.
Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism.
"Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X.
"There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
5 hours ago
- The Age
Israeli missile kills six children collecting water in Gaza
Jerusalem: At least eight Palestinians, most of them children, were killed and more than a dozen were wounded in central Gaza when they went to collect water, local officials said, in an Israeli strike which the military said missed its target. The strike hit a water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp on Sunday, killing six children and injuring 17 others, said Ahmed Abu Saifan, an emergency physician at Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military said the missile had intended to hit an Islamic Jihad militant in the area but that a malfunction had caused it to fall 'dozens of metres from the target'. 'The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved civilians,' it said in a statement, adding that the incident was under review. Water shortages in Gaza have worsened sharply in recent weeks, with fuel shortages causing desalination and sanitation facilities to close, making people dependent on collection centres where they can fill up their plastic containers. Loading Ramadan Nassar, a witness who lives in the area, told the Associated Press that about 20 children and 14 adults had been lined up to get water. He said Palestinians walk some 2 kilometres to fetch water from the area. In Nuseirat, a small boy leaned over a body bag to say goodbye to a friend. 'There is no safe place,' resident Raafat Fanouna said as some people went over the rubble with sticks and bare hands
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Israeli missile kills six children collecting water in Gaza
Jerusalem: At least eight Palestinians, most of them children, were killed and more than a dozen were wounded in central Gaza when they went to collect water, local officials said, in an Israeli strike which the military said missed its target. The strike hit a water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp on Sunday, killing six children and injuring 17 others, said Ahmed Abu Saifan, an emergency physician at Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military said the missile had intended to hit an Islamic Jihad militant in the area but that a malfunction had caused it to fall 'dozens of metres from the target'. 'The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved civilians,' it said in a statement, adding that the incident was under review. Water shortages in Gaza have worsened sharply in recent weeks, with fuel shortages causing desalination and sanitation facilities to close, making people dependent on collection centres where they can fill up their plastic containers. Loading Ramadan Nassar, a witness who lives in the area, told the Associated Press that about 20 children and 14 adults had been lined up to get water. He said Palestinians walk some 2 kilometres to fetch water from the area. In Nuseirat, a small boy leaned over a body bag to say goodbye to a friend. 'There is no safe place,' resident Raafat Fanouna said as some people went over the rubble with sticks and bare hands
ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
Israel said Hamas was looting aid — then it armed the gangs who were actually stealing it
Groups of men huddle around fires, waiting for aid trucks to roll through central Gaza. Some of them used to be teachers and other professionals. Now, they have banded together to form gangs and raid aid convoys. The scene is like one from the Mad Max movies, a dystopian setting where there are no rules. "We are a group of men organised into crews — we call ourselves 'the ones who block the roads'," one of the men, Mohammad Salman, told the ABC. "If you want to get aid and secure food, you have to come through here; otherwise you won't eat. "Today, all these people have become gangsters. They seize food from trucks and anything they find on the road. They'll take food away from anyone. If someone grabs food from a truck and I don't get my share, I'll go after him. "That's how we have become. If someone gets something, I will take it from him to eat. Some of the men say they have worked with a gang leader named Yasser Abu Shabab. Once a wanted criminal, it's now widely believed that Abu Shabab has been armed and protected by the Israeli government — to take control of the part of southern Gaza where his family holds sway. Abu Shabab is apparently an unlikely figure to lead a resistance against Hamas's rule in Gaza, Gazan analyst Muhammad Shehada, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in The New Arab. "To them, he didn't seem like someone with the leadership skills necessary to form a group of 300 armed militants, steal truckloads of aid, and store it under the radar." Israeli media have reported Abu Shabab escaped from jail with Israeli assistance early in the war. "He was in a Hamas prison until October 2023 for theft and drug offences, and his release came under the cover of an Israeli attack on security facilities in the Strip at the beginning of the war. From that moment on, his name emerged as someone who would fill the security vacuum in eastern Rafah," the Israeli newspaper Maariv wrote. The United Nations has identified Abu Shabab's gang as one of those raiding aid convoys when they entered Gaza, saying they were doing so with the apparent protection or indifference of the Israeli military. Former French diplomat Jean-Pierre Filliu, who spent one month in Gaza with Doctors Without Borders from December 2024 to January 2025, said he witnessed the gang being protected by the IDF while looting trucks. "The Israeli military recognised its inability to promote a clan-based alternative to Hamas and decided to rely more or less openly on organised crime," he wrote in Le Monde. "The key figure in this manoeuvre was a previously minor member of a Rafah family, Yasser Abu Shabab, whom Hamas had imprisoned in the past for his various trafficking activities. But Israeli protection allowed Abu Shabab to substantially expand its activities and poach, from other clans, some 100 loyalists ready for anything, often ex-convicts. "What could only be called a gang operated under the eyes of the Israeli army … and it was equipped with brand-new weapons, an irrefutable indication of its collaboration with the occupiers." A gang member confirmed to the ABC that Abu Shabab's group had been stealing and selling aid. "People would work normally with Yasser just like employees. He had two shifts. It was easy," the gang member said. The man explained that much of the looted food was then sold to merchants, although he insisted aid groups were given some of it. "They would unload the goods, and traders would come to buy them. Half of the supplies were distributed to institutions like schools," he said. "The aid agency would arrive to collect its share and then distribute it to schools." The gang member alleged Hamas had previously been stealing some aid, something the group denies. "He [Yasser] was working in security when he saw the government and Hamas members stealing from the aid trucks as they passed through central Gaza and Nuseirat," he told the ABC. "That's when he decided to take action — stealing the trucks to distribute some of the aid himself, handing out money, flour … and that was it." Abu Shabab and his men, now calling themselves "the Anti-Terror Service" or the "Popular Forces", have been accused by many Gazans of working with the Israeli government. The Israeli government has said openly it has backed groups like the one Abu Shabab runs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted in June that his government had "activated" clans in Gaza opposed to Hamas. That sparked concerns from the opposition that their weapons could eventually be turned on the IDF, or used to create unmanageable chaos. "In consultation with security officials, we made use of clans in Gaza that are opposed to Hamas," he said in a video on social media. The Times of Israel said Defence officials had confirmed Mr Netanyahu was referring to the Abu Shabab gang. "The sources confirmed that Israel has been arming the gang with Kalashnikov rifles, including some that were seized from Hamas during the ongoing war," it wrote on June 5. Former Israeli Defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has alleged Abu Shabab had ties to the IS terrorist group. "The Israeli government is giving weapons to a group of criminals and felons, identified with Islamic State, at the direction of the prime minister," he told Israeli public radio. The Abu Shabab group was alleged to be providing security for the new, Israeli and US-backed food distribution operation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. It denied any links with the gang. "GHF has no association with Yasser or the 'Anti-Terror Service'," it said in a statement sent to the ABC. Hamas fighters have attacked the group, but said Israeli forces came to its defence, Israeli media reported. The arrival of the new aid operation has changed conditions in the south of Gaza, but Hamas is still keen to kill or imprison Abu Shabab again. On July 2, the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry in Gaza gave Abu Shabab 10 days to surrender himself and face trial for treason. The ABC called and sent messages to Yasser Abu Shabab but did not receive a response. Comment has also been sought from the Israeli government and the IDF. Meanwhile, the Israeli government and military continue to dismiss United Nations reports of a worsening hunger crisis in Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is only distributing food parcels at limited locations in southern and central Gaza. Israel's government last month stopped allowing food shipments into the north. The "men who block the roads" are still waiting by the aid routes, hoping for any chance to seize supplies and stay alive.
