‘We probably all have the same view': Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says police considering classing synagogue attack as terrorism

Sky News AU

11 hours ago

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said 'we probably all have the same view' about the Melbourne synagogue attack, as authorities investigate whether terrorism charges may apply.
Mr Burke attended the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Sunday, after the place of worship was allegedly targeted in an arson attack.
Detectives from Victoria Police's Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit have since arrested a man who is suspected of attempting to set the building on fire.
Speaking from the grounds, Mr Burke described the alleged arson as 'an attack on Australia', amid concerns about domestic antisemitism.
'There were three attacks that night, and none of them belonged in Australia,' Mr Burke said.
'Arson attacks, the chanting calls for death, other attacks and graffiti — none of it belonged in Australia. And they were attacks on Australia.'
When asked if the attack should be classified as terrorism, Mr Burke said that decision rests with Victorian Police but acknowledged the community concern.
'I think every Australian has a view, and we probably all have the same view as to where that will end up. But we leave that with the Victorian police,' he said.
It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced criticism in 2024 for not labelling another synagogue attack as terrorism.
A 34-year-old man from Toongabbie, New South Wales has been charged over the latest alleged arson.
Police allege he poured flammable liquid on the synagogue's front door and set it alight before fleeing.
The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was physically injured, though about 20 people inside were celebrating Shabbat at the time.
'There's been some reporting that no one was physically injured. That doesn't mean no one was harmed,' Mr Burke said.
'The community here was harmed. The Jewish community in Australia was harmed. And we were harmed as a nation.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the Albanese government take stronger action on the matter, in a statement released on Sunday.
'I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne,' he said.
'The reprehensible antisemitic attacks, with calls of 'Death to the IDF' and an attempt to attack a place of worship, are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted.
'We demand that the Australian government take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law and prevent similar attacks in the future.'
Mr Burke has spoken with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia about the incident, in what he described as a 'good conversation'.
'I'm not going to talk of anything else. And my conversation with the Israeli ambassador yesterday, he rang me, and I was very grateful for that call,' he said.
The Home Affairs Minister used his visit to urge all Australians to actively counter antisemitism in their daily lives.
'Be kind and welcoming on purpose. Make the effort,' he said.
'And if you see the slightest moment… where someone makes the slightest comments that you think could be steeped in antisemitism or other forms of bigotry, just bring them back.'