Australia police charge man over alleged arson on Melbourne synagogue in latest antisemitic attack

The 34-year-old suspect, a resident of Sydney, capital of neighbouring New South Wales was arrested by the counterterrorism detectives late on Saturday and has been charged with offences, including criminal damage by fire, police said. The man has not been identified by the police and is due to face court on Sunday.

A police statement said “The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene.”

Investigative authorities are also inquiring whether the synagogue fire incident was linked to a disturbance on Friday night at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne, where a person had been arrested for hindering police.

The attack on Friday, one of the several antisemitic incidents reported in Australia, came after seven months when another synagogue in Melbourne was targeted and set ablaze by arsonists that left one person injured and widespread damage was reported. The latest antisemitic incidents in Australia saw a multifold rise since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has condemned the arson attack on Melbourne Synagogue and stated “condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne’s historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that the arson attack was shocking and those responsible should face the law’s full force. “My Government will provide all necessary support toward this effort,” Albanese stated.

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