Man faces court over 'cowardly' attack on synagogue
Angelo Loras, 34, from Toongabbie in NSW, was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday night, about 24 hours after the front doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were allegedly set alight, forcing 20 people to flee.
He has been charged multiple offences including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Sunday, where the court was told it was his first time in custody.
He was remanded until a hearing on July 22.
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 on the same night, when protesters who 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.
Police have revealed they are investigating a fourth incident where offenders used stencils to spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and a number of walls in Elsternwick.
It came as hundreds gathered for a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned "reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks" on both the Melbourne synagogue and restaurant.
He urged the federal government to "take all action" against those responsible.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:"I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 5, 2025
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 described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia" and the entire community.
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.
Victorian opposition police spokesman and Jewish MP David Southwick criticised Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attacks in a statement, for not fronting the media over the weekend.
"Where is the premier," he asked.
"The Jewish community feel like there is a war zone here in Melbourne."
Ms Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Foreign policy was a ‘driver of 7/7 attacks', says former counter-terror chief
Foreign policy was a 'driver of the 7/7 attacks', a former national head of counter-terrorism has said ahead of the 20th anniversary of the bombings. On July 7 2005, four suicide bombers targeted the capital's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus. A series of attempted bombings followed the attacks and, in the subsequent hunt for suspects, police shot dead innocent man Jean Charles de Menezes at a Tube station. Speaking to The Guardian, Neil Basu said: 'A driver of the 7/7 attacks was foreign policy and Iraq. That does not excuse in any way what they did. 'That foreign policy decision has radicalised and made extremists of people who might not have been radicalised or extreme. And if they were on the pathway, it's pretty much guaranteed… 'All terrorists will have a freedom fighter story. Bin Laden would have had a freedom fighter story. We might think it's crap. We might think it's self-justification but he will have had a story about liberating his lands from the great invaders.' He also said it did not mean a terrorist threat should dictate foreign policy. Mr Basu said the 'shocking act' divided society. He said: 'When terrorists hide behind a religion to commit an atrocity, people blame every follower of the religion and the religion itself. We ought to stop doing that. 'That causes a fear and suspicion of people who don't look like you, think like you, eat like you, worship like you. That has got worse, not better, and that has been caused exactly as terrorists want, by dividing a society by committing the shocking act.' Terror attacks have 'interrupted a trajectory of tolerance', he added. Mr Basu said: 'That's what I think has been most soul-destroying… It has interrupted a trajectory of tolerance that I was becoming very familiar and happy with… 'It started with 9/11… 7/7 accelerated that in this country. The relationship between races is worse today, or as bad today as it was in the 70s and 80s. That period of tolerance is over, and feels very much over.'
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Antisemitic attackers violently target synagogue, Israeli restaurant in Australia
A series of antisemitic attacks in Australia, including an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne and a violent raid on an Israeli-owned restaurant, has Jews in the Australian city living in fear and demanding officials take action. The first attack occurred when assailants started a fire outside the exterior doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Around 20 worshipers were eating Shabbat dinner inside, according to SBS News. The police have not yet categorized the incident a terror attack. Advertisement Avi Yemini, chief reporter for Rebel News Online in Australia, said the fire brigade's rapid response kept 'yet another synagogue in this city from being destroyed in a terror attack, like the firebombing of the Adas Israel Synagogue last year, which remains unsolved.' Later that same evening, some 20 masked extremists terrorized diners at Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon. According to The Jerusalem Post, protesters chanted 'death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)' and threw chairs and glassware at the restaurant. 4 The first attack occurred outside of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. FOX News Yemeni told Fox News Digital protesters were 'causing absolute mayhem' and escalated 'to violence against patrons and the destruction of property, ultimately sending terrified diners running for safety.' Advertisement One protester was arrested by Victoria Police but was released and issued a summons. SBS News also reported that Victoria Police are investigating a third incident, in which offenders set fire to three vehicles, destroying one, and spray-painted a nearby wall. A police commander declined to say whether the painting's content was antisemitic but described all three incidents as containing 'inferences of antisemitism.' 4 A Melbourne restaurant 'Miznon' with ties to Israeli aid group becomes a crime scene as protesters knock over tables, smashed plates, bottles and glass. many protesters were arrested. Gemma Hubeek/SOPA Images/Shutterstock 4 A protester is being pushed out of the way by the police. Gemma Hubeek/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Advertisement Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), issued a statement on X and urged that 'all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes.' 'Those who chant for death are not peace activists. Those who would burn houses of prayer with families inside do not seek an end to war,' Ryvchin said. Noting the 'violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements,' Ryvchin said 'those responsible cannot be reasoned with or appeased. They must be confronted with the full force of the law.' 4 One protester was arrested by Victoria Police but ultimately was released. FOX News Advertisement Yemini said Friday's attacks demonstrate how 'emboldened' protesters have become. 'Since October 7, Victoria Police — under the direction of the government — have allowed anti-Israel protesters to effectively hold Melbourne hostage,' he said. Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli minister of foreign affairs, also strongly condemned the attacks, saying there 'have been too many antisemitic attacks in Australia,' and he called on the Australian government to 'do more to fight this poisonous disease.' Between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, the ECAJ counted 2,062 antisemitic incidents in Australia.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Biggest threat' to UK is extremism, says Home Secretary ahead of 7/7 anniversary
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that Islamic and right-wing extremism continue to pose Britain's "biggest threats", as the nation approaches the 20th anniversary of the July 7 bombings. On 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers targeted London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 across three Underground trains and a bus. A series of attempted bombings followed the attacks, and during the subsequent police manhunt for suspects, Jean Charles de Menezes was tragically shot dead at a tube station. Writing in the Sunday Mirror, Ms Cooper recalled how news of the attacks had emerged as she headed to a local government conference in her then-role as a junior minister. 'The anti-radicalisation programme Prevent became more important than ever,' Ms Cooper said. 'And communities across the nation were determined that hatred would not win. 'The work done at that time has endured and evolved. Islamist extremist terrorism remains the greatest threat, followed by extreme right-wing terrorism. 'But we also face threats from hostile states, serious organised crime, cyber criminals, and a rise in individuals radicalised online.' Ms Cooper referenced how the approach to tackling terrorism had continued to evolve in the wake of the tragedy. In April, legislation providing greater protection to help prevent and reduce the harm of terror attacks at event venues officially became law. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, compels all UK venues expecting 200 or more people to be on site to prepare for the event of a terror attack. Larger premises expected to host 800 people or more also have to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to an assault, such as CCTV, bag searches or vehicle checks. Figen Murray campaigned for the law change in memory of her 29-year-old son Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. Speaking when the Bill was signed into law, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Today is a landmark moment for our security as my Government delivers on its promise to introduce Martyn's Law and better protect the public from terrorism. 'Figen's courage and determination in the face of such unimaginable loss is truly humbling, and it is thanks to her campaigning that Martyn's Law means her son's legacy will live on forever.'
