Latest news with #HebrewCongregation
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Congregation flees after arsonist sets fire to an Australian synagogue door
MELBOURNE, Australia — An arsonist set fire to the door of a Melbourne synagogue and forced the congregation to flee on Friday, seven months after criminals destroyed a synagogue in the same Australian city with an accelerant-fueled blaze that left a worshipper injured. A man doused the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and set it alight around 8 p.m., a police statement said on Saturday. Around 20 worshippers sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat Jewish day of rest evacuated through a rear door and no one was injured, police said. Fire fighters extinguished the blaze which was contained to the front entrance, police said. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said both incidents were designed to 'traumatize Jewish families.' 'Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate, and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of antisemitism,' she said in a statement. A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. Jewish and Muslim organizations and hate researchers have recorded drastic spikes in hate-fueled incidents on both groups. The Australian government last year appointed special envoys to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in the community. Last December, two masked men struck the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast. They caused extensive damage by spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms throughout the building before igniting it. A worshipper sustained minor burns. No charges have been laid for that attack, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed on antisemitism. The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically-motivated attack. Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan described the latest synagogue fire as a serious crime. Police released a CCTV image of a suspect. 'I'd like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent. But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,' Dunstan told reporters. 'In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved, or person, to determine if this is in fact terrorism. At the moment, we are categorizing it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly,' she added. A terrorism declaration opens the investigation to more resourcing and can result in charges that carry longer prison sentences. The synagogue's president, Danny Segal, called for the wider Australian community to stand with his congregation. 'We're here to be in peace, you know, we're here for everybody to live together and we've got a fresh start in Australia, such a beautiful country, and what they're doing is just not fair and not right, and as Australians, we should stand up and everybody should stand up,' Segal told reporters. Also in downtown Melbourne on Friday night, around 20 masked protesters harassed diners in an Israeli-owned restaurant. A Miznon restaurant window was broken. A 28-year-old woman was arrested for hindering police. Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, said diners were terrorized as the group chanted 'Death to the IDF,' referring to the Israel Defense Forces. 'Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews,' Abramovich said. Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece condemned both the synagogue and restaurant incidents. 'These criminal acts against a Melbourne synagogue and an Israeli business are absolutely shocking,' Reece said. 'All of us as a community need to stand up against it.' Israel's deputy foreign minister condemned the attacks, saying it was 'yet another reminder of how far racist, antisemitic hate crimes have spread in the heart of Australia,' in a statement on X. Sharren Haskel expressed her full solidarity with the Jewish community in Melbourne, 'Israel stands with you,' she said in the statement. McGuirk writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Australia: PM denounces synagogue arson attack
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday labeled as "cowardly" an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. Police are searching for a man who set the front door of the building ablaze on Friday night as around 20 people ate dinner inside. Australia is facing a growing wave of antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza war started in late 2023. In a statement, the prime minister said: "Last night's arson attack on the synagogue in east Melbourne is cowardly, is an act of violence and antisemitism, and has no place in Australian society." Albanese said he hoped the perpetrator would be swiftly brought to justice and "that he faces the full force of the law, and anyone involved in this attack faces the full force of the law." Antisemitism has no place in Australia. Those responsible for the shocking acts in Melbourne last night must face the full force of the law and my Government will provide all necessary support toward this effort. — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 5, 2025 Police said a man doused the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and set it alight around 8 p.m. on Friday night. The worshippers, who were sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat Jewish day of rest, evacuated through a rear door and no one was injured, the police statement continued. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance, police added. Victoria state police said they were investigating the "intent and ideology" of the perpetrator. Police said they believed the perpetrator was a white male, aged in his 30s. Authorities said they were probing if the attack was linked to an incident on Friday night at an inner-city restaurant in which one person was arrested for hindering police. The Israeli restaurant was extensively damaged, according to reports. Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan described the synagogue attack as a serious crime. "I'd like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent. But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident," Dunstan told reporters. A terrorism declaration opens the investigation to more resourcing and can result in charges that carry longer prison sentences. Jewish neighborhoods in Melbourne and Sydney have been hit by a wave of antisemitic vandalism since the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, 2023. Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles have been targeted. The incidents have included a fake plan set up by organized crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives to divert police resources, authorities said in March. Last December, two masked men struck the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast, causing extensive damage by spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms throughout the building before igniting it. A worshipper sustained minor burns. Edited by: Kieran Burke
DW
7 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Australia: PM denounces synagogue arson attack – DW – 07/05/2025
A man doused the door of the building in Melbourne and set it alight while 20 worshippers were inside. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday labeled as "cowardly" an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. Police are searching for a man who set the front door of the building ablaze on Friday night as around 20 people ate dinner inside. Australia is facing a growing wave of antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza war started in late 2023. In a statement, the prime minister said: "Last night's arson attack on the synagogue in east Melbourne is cowardly, is an act of violence and antisemitism, and has no place in Australian society." Albanese said he hoped the perpetrator would be swiftly brought to justice and "that he faces the full force of the law, and anyone involved in this attack faces the full force of the law." Police said a man doused the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and set it alight around 8 p.m. on Friday night. The worshippers, who were sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat Jewish day of rest, evacuated through a rear door and no one was injured, the police statement continued. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance, police added. Victoria state police said they were investigating the "intent and ideology" of the perpetrator. Police said they believed the perpetrator was a white male, aged in his 30s. Authorities said they were probing if the attack was linked to an incident on Friday night at an inner-city restaurant in which one person was arrested for hindering police. The Israeli restaurant was extensively damaged, according to reports. Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan described the synagogue attack as a serious crime. "I'd like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent. But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident," Dunstan told reporters. A terrorism declaration opens the investigation to more resourcing and can result in charges that carry longer prison sentences. Jewish neighborhoods in Melbourne and Sydney have been hit by a wave of antisemitic vandalism since the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, 2023. Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles have been targeted. The incidents have included a fake plan set up by organized crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives to divert police resources, authorities said in March. Last December, two masked men struck the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast, causing extensive damage by spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms throughout the building before igniting it. A worshipper sustained minor burns.
NBC News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Congregation flees after arsonist sets fire to an Australian synagogue door
An arsonist set fire to the door of a Melbourne synagogue and forced the congregation to flee on Friday, seven months after criminals destroyed a synagogue in the same Australian city with an accelerant-fueled blaze that left a worshipper injured. A man doused the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and set it alight around 8 p.m., a police statement said on Saturday. Around 20 worshippers sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat Jewish day of rest evacuated through a rear door and no one was injured, police said. Fire fighters extinguished the blaze which was contained to the front entrance, police. A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. Jewish and Muslim organizations and hate researchers have recorded drastic spikes in hate-fueled incidents on both groups. The Australian government last year appointed special envoys to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in the community. Last December, two masked men struck the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast. They caused extensive damage by spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms throughout the building before igniting it. A worshipper sustained minor burns. No charges have been laid for that attack, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed on antisemitism. The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically-motivated attack. Police say synagogue attack is a serious crime Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan described the latest synagogue fire as a serious crime. Police released a CCTV image of a suspect. 'I'd like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent. But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,' Dunstan told reporters. 'In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved, or person, to determine if this is in fact terrorism. At the moment, we are categorizing it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly,' she added. A terrorism declaration opens the investigation to more resourcing and can result in charges that carry longer prison sentences. The synagogue's president, Danny Segal, called for the wider Australian community to stand with his congregation. 'We're here to be in peace, you know, we're here for everybody to live together and we've got a fresh start in Australia, such a beautiful country, and what they're doing is just not fair and not right, and as Australians, we should stand up and everybody should stand up,' Segal told reporters. Protesters harass diners in Israeli-owned restaurant Also in downtown Melbourne on Friday night, around 20 masked protesters harassed diners in an Israeli-owned restaurant. A Miznon restaurant window was broken. A 28-year-old woman was arrested for hindering police. Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, said diners were terrorized as the group chanted ' Death to the IDF,' referring to the Israel Defense Forces. 'Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews,' Abramovich said. Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece condemned both the synagogue and restaurant incidents. 'These criminal acts against a Melbourne synagogue and an Israeli business are absolutely shocking,' Reece said. 'All of us as a community need to stand up against it.' Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said both incidents were designed to 'traumatize Jewish families.'
San Francisco Chronicle
13 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Congregation flees after arsonist sets fire to an Australian synagogue door
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An arsonist set fire to the door of a Melbourne synagogue and forced the congregation to flee on Friday, seven months after criminals destroyed a synagogue in the same Australian city with an accelerant-fueled blaze that left a worshipper injured. A man doused the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and set it alight around 8 p.m., a police statement said on Saturday. Around 20 worshippers sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat Jewish day of rest evacuated through a rear door and no one was injured, police said. Fire fighters extinguished the blaze which was contained to the front entrance, police. Antisemitic attacks roil Australia since 2023 A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. Jewish and Muslim organizations and hate researchers have recorded drastic spikes in hate-fueled incidents on both groups. The Australian government last year appointed special envoys to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in the community. Last December, two masked men struck the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast. They caused extensive damage by spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms throughout the building before igniting it. A worshipper sustained minor burns. No charges have been laid for that attack, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed on antisemitism. The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically-motivated attack. Police say synagogue attack is a serious crime Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan described the latest synagogue fire as a serious crime. Police released a CCTV image of a suspect. 'I'd like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent. But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,' Dunstan told reporters. 'In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved, or person, to determine if this is in fact terrorism. At the moment, we are categorizing it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly,' she added. A terrorism declaration opens the investigation to more resourcing and can result in charges that carry longer prison sentences. The synagogue's president, Danny Segal, called for the wider Australian community to stand with his congregation. 'We're here to be in peace, you know, we're here for everybody to live together and we've got a fresh start in Australia, such a beautiful country, and what they're doing is just not fair and not right, and as Australians, we should stand up and everybody should stand up,' Segal told reporters. Protesters harass diners in Israeli-owned restaurant Also in downtown Melbourne on Friday night, around 20 masked protesters harassed diners in an Israeli-owned restaurant. A Miznon restaurant window was broken. A 28-year-old woman was arrested for hindering police. Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, said diners were terrorized as the group chanted 'Death to the IDF,' referring to the Israel Defense Forces. 'Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews,' Abramovich said. Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece condemned both the synagogue and restaurant incidents. 'These criminal acts against a Melbourne synagogue and an Israeli business are absolutely shocking,' Reece said. 'All of us as a community need to stand up against it.' Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said both incidents were designed to 'traumatize Jewish families.' 'Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate, and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of antisemitism,' she said in a statement.
