MELBOURNE – A man poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Friday evening, igniting a fire while roughly 20 people, including families, were inside for Shabbat dinner. All evacuated safely through the rear of the building.
Minutes later, a group of about 20 masked protesters stormed Miznon, an Israeli-owned restaurant on Hardware Lane. They chanted “Death to the IDF,” hurled furniture and food at windows, smashing one pane, terrifying diners both inside and out.
Victoria Police arrested a 28-year-old woman for hindering police. Investigators have identified additional participants and are examining whether the synagogue arson, restaurant attack, and an early-morning car fire in Greensborough are linked.
Commander Zorka Dunstan of Victoria Police said the synagogue incident is being treated with “intent and ideology” under scrutiny, though not yet classified as terrorism. The fires in Greensborough involved three cars vandalized and set ablaze, with some antisemitic graffiti noted.
Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the acts as “disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards” and affirmed that antisemitism has “no place in Victoria.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged federal support, stating the perpetrators “must face the full force of the law.”
Jewish community representatives voiced alarm. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin described the synagogue fire as occurring “as those inside sat down to Shabbat dinner.” Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich called the synagogue attack “barbaric” and warned of a “severe escalation directed towards our community.”
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel branded the restaurant siege “terrorism” and criticized local authorities for not doing enough. Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon called the attacks “disgraceful and vile,” stressing no community should endure repeated violent assault.
These incidents follow a pattern of rising antisemitic violence in Australia since October 2023. Authorities escalated their responses with new special envoys and inter-agency task forces. Local detectives and the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team are leading the investigations.
Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, who was present during the attack, praised emergency services for their rapid response and reflected on the city’s shaken sense of safety.
Victoria Police are reviewing CCTV. They have released a composite of a suspect, a Caucasian male in his 30s, with a beard and long hair, to aid the investigation. Public assistance is being sought.
This article is based on verified information from Reuters, CNN, ABC, Times of Israel, 1News, The Australian Jewish News, and AP.