Police in Melbourne are searching for a man suspected of setting fire to a synagogue in the city’s east late Friday night, in an incident that authorities are treating as a serious criminal offense with possible links to ideological motives.
Victoria Police said the man was seen entering the grounds of a synagogue on Albert Street, where he allegedly poured a flammable liquid at the main entrance and ignited it before fleeing west on foot. Around 20 people were inside at the time and managed to escape through a rear door. Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze, but the entrance sustained damage.
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The suspect; the synagogue's door after the suspected attack
(Photo: Victoria Police, from social media)
The investigation has been transferred to the state’s counterterrorism unit. While the incident is not currently classified as a terror attack, police said the inquiry would examine the suspect’s “intent and ideology” to determine whether terrorism charges are warranted.
Authorities released a surveillance image of a man detectives wish to speak with in connection to the incident. He is believed to be in his 30s, with long hair, and was last seen wearing a dark blue or black sweater, black pants and a black beanie.
Police are also investigating potential links to two other incidents that occurred overnight, including public disorder and property damage at a local business. One of those incidents took place at a Melbourne restaurant owned by Israeli chef Eyal Shani, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators smashed windows and reportedly shouted “Death to the IDF.” One protester was arrested.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters outside Israeli Chef Eyal Shani's Melbourne restaurant
(Photo: from social media)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue attack and pledged full government support to ensure the perpetrators face justice. “Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” he said. “Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law and my government will provide all necessary support toward this effort.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also issued a strong condemnation, saying, “All Australians have a right to safety. Acts of antisemitism violate that right and should face the full force of the law.”
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Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan said they were treating the incident “incredibly seriously,” and said investigators are continuing to assess the suspect’s motives. “There's no place in Australia for hatred or discrimination of any kind, and we condemn it.”
Suspected arson attack on Mebourne synagogue
Australia has seen a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Jewish organizations and hate monitors have documented a surge in hostility and violence targeting Jews and Israelis across the country.
On December 6, 2024, two masked men broke into the Adass Israel synagogue in southeast Melbourne at dawn, doused the floor with accelerant, and set it alight. One worshipper sustained minor burns. No charges have yet been filed in that case, which Prime Minister Albanese also linked to antisemitism.