Melbourne: Political and religious leaders have strongly condemned the arson strike on the Adass Israel synagogue attack in Melbourne, which left two of its three buildings gutted after alleged intruders broke in and set it on fire. Two congregants inside the synagogue at the time were evacuated, with one supporting minor injuries.
The attack has flashed an international war of words, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing the Australian government of contributing to growing antisemitism by supporting a recent UN resolution urging Israel to end its occupation of Gaza and other Palestinian territories. Netanyahu wrote on social media, stating that, “It is impossible to separate the offensive arson attack from the federal government’s extreme anti-Israeli position.”
Australia’s opposition leaders echoed these sentiments, with shadow home affairs minister James Patterson stating the government’s stance had “absolutely trashed” Australia-Israel relations.
However, the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network disregarded Netanyahu’s accusations, labelling them a “shameless distraction” from Israeli policies in Palestine. President Nasser Mashni accused the Israeli government of ongoing “genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation.”
According to Victorian police, the attackers poured accelerant inside the synagogue before setting it alight. Authorities have not ruled out terrorism as a motive, and investigations are ongoing. The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, pledged $100,000 toward rebuilding the synagogue and assured increased police patrols in the area.
The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of antisemitism. I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) December 6, 2024
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, calling it “an outrage” and vowing no tolerance for antisemitism. Anthony Albanese stated that, “This deliberate, unlawful attack goes against everything we are as Australians.”
The attack has heightened calls for stronger efforts to combat antisemitism in Australia. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies recommended the government to address what they described as a “domestic crisis of antisemitism.” At the same time, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog urged Australia’s leaders to take firm action against climbing antisemitic attacks.
The arson attack has also highlighted growing tensions between Australia and Israel over the Albanese government’s recent foreign policy decisions, including support for the UN resolution and barring entry to a former Israeli minister. Australian federal police are working closely with Victorian authorities to examine the attack and ensure justice is served.
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