A suspected arson attack devastated the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, one of Australia’s busiest synagogues, early Friday morning, leaving Melbourne’s Jewish community reeling.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act as an “outrage” and a “deliberate attack on Australia’s values.” He assured on ABC Radio that federal assistance to Victorian authorities will be provided in the investigation.
“this is an act of hate and it’s something that should not occur in Australia or anywhere else for that matter.”
Witnesses reported seeing two suspects dressed in dark clothing, allegedly smashing windows and throwing Molotov cocktails.
Firefighters responded to the blaze at 4:10 am, battling flames that engulfed the 20-by-30-metre building. Fire crews prevented the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings, and no injuries were reported.
Congregants fled as flames erupted. Yumi Friedman, founder of Yumi’s Dips, was inside with another individual when the attack began. “I heard a big bang, ran out, and found a fire growing fast,” Friedman told The Age.
Board member Benjamin Klein recounted the chaos to ABC News:
“Banging on the doors, liquids being thrown, and the fire spreading rapidly. It’s horrifying for a peaceful community.”
The synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors, serves as a focal point for Melbourne’s Jewish population. Klein added,
“This is the jewel of our community. Seeing it in ruins is beyond devastating.”
Worshippers are traumatised, especially children who attend daily services. Sacred Torah scrolls and holy books, estimated to be worth millions, were lost in the fire.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her strong condemnation of the recent attack on a synagogue, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the incident with urgency.
“This morning I spoke to Police Commissioner Shane Patton about this attack. Every available resource will be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart.”
Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler urged decisive action:
“Enough is enough. Jew hatred must be stamped out.”
Local Liberal MP David Southwick echoed the sentiment, expressing “deep angst” over rising antisemitism.
Australian Jewish Association (AJA) said in a staement, “Every time, Labor ministers spread blood libels against the Jewish State, it puts the lives of Jews in Australia at risk.”
Despite increased security measures, the attack marks the second time Adass Israel has been targeted by arsonists; a similar incident occurred in 1995.
Victoria Police have now launched a criminal investigation, treating the fire as suspicious. CCTV footage is being reviewed, and police are appealing to the public for information.
Support Our Journalism
The global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today—with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors—is doing just that. Sustaining this requires support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/TheAusToday
