Australia Condemns Synagogue Arson in Melbourne Amid Rise in Antisemitic Attacks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed swift justice after an apparent arson attack targeted a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night, forcing the evacuation of 20 people and sparking widespread condemnation.

According to authorities, an unidentified man was seen pouring flammable liquid on the front doors of the synagogue before setting it ablaze. Worshippers inside were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

The attack came on the same night as a violent incident at a Jewish-owned restaurant, Miznon, in Melbourne’s business district. In that attack, rioters reportedly stormed the premises, throwing chairs and chanting “death to the IDF” before police intervened and made several arrests.

The twin incidents have fueled concerns over an escalating wave of antisemitism in Australia, linked to heightened tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.

“Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” Prime Minister Albanese said. “Those responsible for these shocking acts will face the full force of the law. My government stands with the Jewish community and will provide every necessary resource to ensure their safety.”

The federal government has appointed a special envoy to combat antisemitism and recently introduced tougher hate crime legislation amid a sharp rise in anti-Jewish incidents nationwide.

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, called the attacks a dangerous escalation:

“These are not isolated events — they are deliberate, violent provocations aimed at intimidating our community,” he said.

Police are still investigating whether the two incidents are linked. No group has claimed responsibility.

The synagogue, a long-standing symbol of Jewish life in Melbourne, sustained damage to its entryway but remains structurally intact.

As investigations continue, leaders from across Australia’s political spectrum have expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, emphasizing that hate has no place in a democratic society.