Latest news with #AdassIsrael
ABC News
2 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Homes raided by terror taskforce investigating Adass Israel synagogue fire
Police detectives investigating the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue have raided several homes in the city's north. Police revealed officers from the Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce executed search warrants on Friday morning at at least three homes in relation to the fire at the Adass Israel synagogue in December last year. No-one has been arrested. Benjamin Klein, who is on the board of the synagogue, said police briefed leaders on the raids on Friday morning. He said updates on the investigation were, at times, hard to hear. "They said no arrests have been made but they're very comfortable with how the investigation's proceeding," Mr Klein said. Mr Klein said his community was hoping to start rebuilding as early as October. The raids come just weeks after the taskforce — made up of detectives from Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police — released security footage of the people they believed were responsible for the arson attack. The vision shows two people pouring the contents of several jerry cans into the synagogue before igniting the liquid while a third films. Police have since revealed the trio were travelling in a stolen blue Volkswagen Gold sedan which was also used in an arson at the Lux nightclub in South Yarra, in the city's south, and an arson and shooting in Bundoora, in Melbourne's north. Two men — aged 21 and 22 from Pakenham — had since been arrested in relation to the nightclub fire but police said there was nothing to indicate they were involved in the synagogue blaze. The 22-year-old was charged later with criminal damage by fire, burglary, three thefts of a motor vehicle and traffic offences, police said.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Adass Israel synagogue fire: Police raid properties in Melbourne's northern suburbs
State and Federal police say they have carried out a number of search warrants in northern Melbourne, after a Ripponlea synagogue was firebombed late last year. Members of the Adass Israel congregation were forced to flee the early morning fire at the synagogue on Friday December 6, 2024, after two masked gunmen set it on fire. Police issued a brief statement about the raids on Friday morning. 'Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police have executed a number of search warrants in Melbourne's northern suburbs this morning as part of the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigation into an arson attack,' the police said. 'At this time there are no further updates and the investigation remains ongoing, with further updates to be provided when appropriate.' Loading Officers renewed their pleas for witnesses and people with footage off the attack to come forward and speak to them. 'This investigation continues to be treated as a priority including the involvement of significant resources across all agencies,' they said. 'The JCTT is also regularly engaging with the relevant communities in relation to the status of the investigation.'
ABC News
15-05-2025
- ABC News
CCTV shows moment Melbourne synagogue firebombed
Police have released CCTV footage of people they suspect fire bombed a Melbourne synagogue last year. The Adass Israel synagogue was established by Holocaust survivors and its destruction devastated the Jewish community and was condemned by political leaders. The investigation being conducted by a counter terrorism taskforce set up by federal and Victorian police is still yet to make an arrest.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- The Guardian
CCTV released from Adass Israel synagogue arson attack in Melbourne
Footage released by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team shows those allegedly responsible for last year's Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in Victoria, while also reiterating their suspicion it was 'politically motivated'. A blue Golf sedan is seen parked outside the main entrance to the synagogue. Three individuals dressed in hoodies and masks emerge and use an axe to damage the entrance before pouring the contents of jerry cans in the building and igniting it
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- News.com.au
Dramatic CCTV footage shows synagogue arson in Melbourne
Counter-terrorism authorities have released dramatic CCTV footage and images of suspects believed to be responsible for the politically motivated arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne late last year. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) is appealing for public assistance to identify the individuals involved or anyone connected to a blue 2020 VW Golf sedan believed to have been used in the attack. The footage, captured on December 6, 2024, shows the blue Golf driving past the Elsternwick synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three masked individuals wearing hoodies are then seen exiting the vehicle, using an axe to break into the synagogue. At least two of the offenders are captured on CCTV pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance and returning to the car to retrieve more. The flammable liquid was then ignited, and the group fled in the Golf, heading towards Melbourne's western suburbs. The ultra-Orthodox temple was firebombed and significantly damaged about 4am on Friday December 6.' Two worshippers were in the temple at the time. Millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture were destroyed or badly damaged. The vehicle, which was stolen and bore cloned number plates, has since been recovered by police. Investigators say it was also used in other serious crimes across the city, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and a shooting and arson in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue attack. While the other incidents are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically motivated, the synagogue fire remains a terrorism matter. AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said officers had examined CCTV from more than 1400 locations to track the alleged offenders. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,' he said. 'I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment. It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now. 'This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO. Do not stay silent, come forward. 'Based on the information we have, we suspect some of the individuals involved are extremely violent.' Assistant Commissioner Nutt said investigators were pursuing all leads and thanked both the Jewish and wider Victorian communities for their support and assistance. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Command Tess Walsh said the investigation had been a top priority over the past five months. 'This was an attack that impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and rightly concerned,' she said. She said both the JCTT and specialist detectives, including the Arson and Explosives Squad, had been working to uncover not only who carried out the attack but who planned it and why. 'Today has provided us with a breakthrough in the Lux nightclub arson investigation and we are now in a position to publicly confirm that we believe the vehicle used in that incident is the same as the synagogue fire, as well as many other incidents of significant criminality such as shootings and aggravated burglaries across Melbourne,' she said. Assistant Commissioner Walsh said the blue VW Golf sedan was a crucial link in the investigation and urged the public to help identify who had used it and what they were involved in. 'We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information. Any small detail could be crucial.' She said it was time for people with information to come forward and warned of the potentially deadly consequences of such reckless behaviour. 'We have said many times before; it is only luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. Fire is absolutely uncontrollable, and the sheer recklessness of this offending cannot be tolerated.' She reassured the Jewish community that police remained committed to tracking down those responsible. 'I understand that it can be difficult when these matters take time, but again, make no mistake that this investigation remains a key priority for Victoria Police and the AFP and we are dedicated to bringing it to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.' The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 if they recognise anyone in the CCTV footage or have information about the vehicle or the individuals involved. Reports can also be made confidentially online.
