Worshipers have been forced to flee an Australian synagogue after it was set on fire, in what the Prime Minister has condemned as an “act of hate”.
Firefighters were called to Melbourne’s Adas Israel Synagogue just after 04:00 local time on Friday (Thursday 17:00 GMT), finding the building completely ablaze when they arrived.
Community leaders have told local media that “some people” were inside at the time of morning prayers, and they reported fire bombs being thrown inside. One person was injured and the fire caused extensive damage.
Police say they believe the fire was deliberately set but are keeping an “open mind” on the motive.
In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident in Ripponley, in the south-east of the city, was “clearly aimed at instilling fear in the community”.
“This violence, intimidation and vandalism at a place of worship is an outrage,” he wrote.
“I have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism.”
He said he had been briefed by the Australian Federal Police, who would provide assistance to authorities in Victoria state.
“Those involved must be caught and face the full force of the law.”
Victoria Police said the exact cause of the fire had not yet been determined and an arson chemist would visit the scene.
However, Det Inspector Chris Murray said that a witness had told him that two men wearing masks were moving quickly inside the building.
He appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage from the local area, to contact police.
Synagogue board member Benjamin Klein told The Age newspaper that people inside “heard banging on the door and window, and some liquids came in that were burning”.
“The whole thing moved very quickly,” he said.
Det Inspector Murray – who was confronted by an angry worshiper while updating the press – said police would devote significant resources to the investigation and increase patrols around the area.
“We are going to do our best to make sure they can return to their local synagogues, as they should, in the very Australian way – that is, being able to worship without fear.”
