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Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Police told not to confront protesters before restaurant rampage
Police responded swiftly to the firebombing of the historic East Melbourne Synagogue in Albert Street, which is also known as the City Shul. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old with a last known address in Sydney, was arrested and charged within two days of the attack, which caused only superficial damage to the front door of the synagogue. Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, and federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley are expected to visit the synagogue this week. At Miznon, police were caught unprepared for the violence after officers were given instructions not to engage with the earlier anti-police demonstration at the State Library of Victoria, according to a well-placed source not authorised to speak publicly. About 20 people broke away from this gathering and stormed Miznon in nearby Hardware Lane. During the incident at Miznon, which unfolded when Hardware Lane was packed with Friday night diners, a window was broken, food was thrown and tables were turned over while protesters shouted slogans including 'Death to the IDF'. The same chant was heard at Sunday's pro-Palestinian rally, where the attacks on the restaurant and synagogue were also condemned by organisers. One person was arrested at Miznon for allegedly hindering police. Officers ordered others to move on. This masthead has confirmed, through the well-placed source, that dozens of officers were assigned to the anti-police demonstration, which was promoted online by various hard-left and pro-Palestinian activist groups. At a Friday afternoon tactical briefing, a decision was taken for police to not have a physical presence at the protest, to avoid inflaming the group. Instead, officers are understood to have waited on buses parked in surrounding streets when the demonstration began shortly after 5.30pm. This meant police were unaware when, some time before 8.15pm, some of the protesters started walking towards Miznon. The restaurant had in previous days been identified on social media as a target by activists because one of its owners is involved in a controversial Israeli and US-linked charity, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Loading The foundation has faced criticism for its role in Gaza food distribution sites where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. A police spokeswoman confirmed resources were allocated to the anti-police protest but did not say how they were deployed. 'Victoria Police was aware of a planned protest in Melbourne on Friday 4 July. Victoria Police had specific resources available to respond when needed, as was the case in the incident that took place at a restaurant on Hardware Lane,' a spokesperson said. A source with knowledge of the police investigation said most of the protesters questioned by police at the restaurant were known to police due to their frequent attendance at the regular Sunday rallies. Police have also released CCTV footage of five people they would like to speak to in relation to the Greensborough vandalism. Allan described the decision to protest on Sunday, less than two days after the synagogue attack, as 'particularly odious, hateful behaviour' and said she was open to taking further action to stop public demonstrations of hate speech. New anti-vilification laws which carry jail terms for serious offences were passed by parliament after last December's arson attack which destroyed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea but are yet to come into force. Legislation is still being drafted to prohibit face masks at protests and flags and symbols associated with terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The anti-hate taskforce follows the announcement of Project Leah, a working group of Jewish community and local government leaders, and a review of Victoria's multicultural commission and polices. Loading 'If there is more to do we will take that action,' Allan said. 'I would say to anyone who wants to bring hate to our streets, we have toughened the law, we will continue to toughen the law.″ Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had acted too slowly in response to previous attacks and surging antisemitism. 'No more talk-fests, mo more taskforces,' he said. 'It's time to act. It's time for real action.' In October 2023, within days of the Hamas-led atrocities in southern Israel which began the war in Gaza, Victoria Police launched Operation Park in response to a surge in attacks on Melbourne's Jewish communities. Since then, police have received 324 reports relating to antisemitism and made 143 arrests, while also conducting more than 9700 patrols predominantly in the Glen Eira, Bayside, Stonnington and Port Phillip municipalities, where most Jewish people live in Melbourne.
The Age
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
Police told not to confront protesters before restaurant rampage
Police responded swiftly to the firebombing of the historic East Melbourne Synagogue in Albert Street, which is also known as the City Shul. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old with a last known address in Sydney, was arrested and charged within two days of the attack, which caused only superficial damage to the front door of the synagogue. Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, and federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley are expected to visit the synagogue this week. At Miznon, police were caught unprepared for the violence after officers were given instructions not to engage with the earlier anti-police demonstration at the State Library of Victoria, according to a well-placed source not authorised to speak publicly. About 20 people broke away from this gathering and stormed Miznon in nearby Hardware Lane. During the incident at Miznon, which unfolded when Hardware Lane was packed with Friday night diners, a window was broken, food was thrown and tables were turned over while protesters shouted slogans including 'Death to the IDF'. The same chant was heard at Sunday's pro-Palestinian rally, where the attacks on the restaurant and synagogue were also condemned by organisers. One person was arrested at Miznon for allegedly hindering police. Officers ordered others to move on. This masthead has confirmed, through the well-placed source, that dozens of officers were assigned to the anti-police demonstration, which was promoted online by various hard-left and pro-Palestinian activist groups. At a Friday afternoon tactical briefing, a decision was taken for police to not have a physical presence at the protest, to avoid inflaming the group. Instead, officers are understood to have waited on buses parked in surrounding streets when the demonstration began shortly after 5.30pm. This meant police were unaware when, some time before 8.15pm, some of the protesters started walking towards Miznon. The restaurant had in previous days been identified on social media as a target by activists because one of its owners is involved in a controversial Israeli and US-linked charity, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Loading The foundation has faced criticism for its role in Gaza food distribution sites where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed. A police spokeswoman confirmed resources were allocated to the anti-police protest but did not say how they were deployed. 'Victoria Police was aware of a planned protest in Melbourne on Friday 4 July. Victoria Police had specific resources available to respond when needed, as was the case in the incident that took place at a restaurant on Hardware Lane,' a spokesperson said. A source with knowledge of the police investigation said most of the protesters questioned by police at the restaurant were known to police due to their frequent attendance at the regular Sunday rallies. Police have also released CCTV footage of five people they would like to speak to in relation to the Greensborough vandalism. Allan described the decision to protest on Sunday, less than two days after the synagogue attack, as 'particularly odious, hateful behaviour' and said she was open to taking further action to stop public demonstrations of hate speech. New anti-vilification laws which carry jail terms for serious offences were passed by parliament after last December's arson attack which destroyed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea but are yet to come into force. Legislation is still being drafted to prohibit face masks at protests and flags and symbols associated with terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The anti-hate taskforce follows the announcement of Project Leah, a working group of Jewish community and local government leaders, and a review of Victoria's multicultural commission and polices. Loading 'If there is more to do we will take that action,' Allan said. 'I would say to anyone who wants to bring hate to our streets, we have toughened the law, we will continue to toughen the law.″ Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government had acted too slowly in response to previous attacks and surging antisemitism. 'No more talk-fests, mo more taskforces,' he said. 'It's time to act. It's time for real action.' In October 2023, within days of the Hamas-led atrocities in southern Israel which began the war in Gaza, Victoria Police launched Operation Park in response to a surge in attacks on Melbourne's Jewish communities. Since then, police have received 324 reports relating to antisemitism and made 143 arrests, while also conducting more than 9700 patrols predominantly in the Glen Eira, Bayside, Stonnington and Port Phillip municipalities, where most Jewish people live in Melbourne.
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Fresh vow to stop anti-Semitism with new taskforce
A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue.
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
New taskforce to tackle hate after anti-Semitic attacks
NEW ANTI-HATE TASKFORCE * Assigned with tackling hateful behaviour and looking at the bigger picture across Victoria * Members will include the premier, police minister, Victoria Police, the Melbourne lord mayor and Jewish community voices, with more stakeholders to be added * Initial meeting this week will be about getting advice from Victoria Police on how anti-vilification laws will be put into operation * Taskforce will update the premier on progress from local meetings with the Jewish community * It will also update on the progress of community consultations and legislation for increased police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protest * It will build on anti-vilification laws, greater police powers to come into effect and the work on legislation to ban masks at protests MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Synagogue * Firebombed on Friday night with 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from Sydney's west, was arrested in Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He was charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant * A group who splintered off from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD on Friday night * Protest organisers said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons * Police chief commissioner Mike Bush will examine the police response to the protest outside the restaurant Greensborough business * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast in the early hours of Saturday * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said Elsternwick business * Offenders used stencils to allegedly spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and on walls in Elsternwick on Sunday * Police have not established links between the incidents NEW ANTI-HATE TASKFORCE * Assigned with tackling hateful behaviour and looking at the bigger picture across Victoria * Members will include the premier, police minister, Victoria Police, the Melbourne lord mayor and Jewish community voices, with more stakeholders to be added * Initial meeting this week will be about getting advice from Victoria Police on how anti-vilification laws will be put into operation * Taskforce will update the premier on progress from local meetings with the Jewish community * It will also update on the progress of community consultations and legislation for increased police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protest * It will build on anti-vilification laws, greater police powers to come into effect and the work on legislation to ban masks at protests MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Synagogue * Firebombed on Friday night with 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from Sydney's west, was arrested in Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He was charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant * A group who splintered off from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD on Friday night * Protest organisers said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons * Police chief commissioner Mike Bush will examine the police response to the protest outside the restaurant Greensborough business * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast in the early hours of Saturday * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said Elsternwick business * Offenders used stencils to allegedly spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and on walls in Elsternwick on Sunday * Police have not established links between the incidents NEW ANTI-HATE TASKFORCE * Assigned with tackling hateful behaviour and looking at the bigger picture across Victoria * Members will include the premier, police minister, Victoria Police, the Melbourne lord mayor and Jewish community voices, with more stakeholders to be added * Initial meeting this week will be about getting advice from Victoria Police on how anti-vilification laws will be put into operation * Taskforce will update the premier on progress from local meetings with the Jewish community * It will also update on the progress of community consultations and legislation for increased police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protest * It will build on anti-vilification laws, greater police powers to come into effect and the work on legislation to ban masks at protests MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Synagogue * Firebombed on Friday night with 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from Sydney's west, was arrested in Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He was charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant * A group who splintered off from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD on Friday night * Protest organisers said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons * Police chief commissioner Mike Bush will examine the police response to the protest outside the restaurant Greensborough business * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast in the early hours of Saturday * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said Elsternwick business * Offenders used stencils to allegedly spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and on walls in Elsternwick on Sunday * Police have not established links between the incidents NEW ANTI-HATE TASKFORCE * Assigned with tackling hateful behaviour and looking at the bigger picture across Victoria * Members will include the premier, police minister, Victoria Police, the Melbourne lord mayor and Jewish community voices, with more stakeholders to be added * Initial meeting this week will be about getting advice from Victoria Police on how anti-vilification laws will be put into operation * Taskforce will update the premier on progress from local meetings with the Jewish community * It will also update on the progress of community consultations and legislation for increased police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protest * It will build on anti-vilification laws, greater police powers to come into effect and the work on legislation to ban masks at protests MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Synagogue * Firebombed on Friday night with 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from Sydney's west, was arrested in Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He was charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant * A group who splintered off from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD on Friday night * Protest organisers said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons * Police chief commissioner Mike Bush will examine the police response to the protest outside the restaurant Greensborough business * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast in the early hours of Saturday * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said Elsternwick business * Offenders used stencils to allegedly spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and on walls in Elsternwick on Sunday * Police have not established links between the incidents
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
New taskforce to tackle hate after anti-Semitic attacks
NEW ANTI-HATE TASKFORCE * Assigned with tackling hateful behaviour and looking at the bigger picture across Victoria * Members will include the premier, police minister, Victoria Police, the Melbourne lord mayor and Jewish community voices, with more stakeholders to be added * Initial meeting this week will be about getting advice from Victoria Police on how anti-vilification laws will be put into operation * Taskforce will update the premier on progress from local meetings with the Jewish community * It will also update on the progress of community consultations and legislation for increased police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protest * It will build on anti-vilification laws, greater police powers to come into effect and the work on legislation to ban masks at protests MELBOURNE'S ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS: East Melbourne Hebrew Synagogue * Firebombed on Friday night with 20 worshippers inside for a Shabbat dinner * A man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight * Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from Sydney's west, was arrested in Melbourne, with detectives investigating his intent and ideology * He was charged with reckless conduct endanger life, criminal damage by fire, and possess a controlled weapon CBD Israeli restaurant * A group who splintered off from an earlier protest allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD on Friday night * Protest organisers said the restaurant was targeted because it was part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal, a spokesman for a food aid group backed by Israel and the US * A 28-year-old from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and released on summons * Police chief commissioner Mike Bush will examine the police response to the protest outside the restaurant Greensborough business * Three cars and a wall were spray-painted outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast in the early hours of Saturday * One vehicle was destroyed and two damaged after being set alight * There were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and the business has been subjected to pro-Palestinian activity in the past year, police said Elsternwick business * Offenders used stencils to allegedly spray paint offensive images on pillars at a busy intersection and on walls in Elsternwick on Sunday * Police have not established links between the incidents
