Australia's Jewish community faced heightened anxiety as they reacted to two separate violent incidents in Melbourne on Friday evening. Local leaders condemned both events—a fire at a synagogue in East Melbourne and a protest at an Israeli restaurant—amid ongoing fears of antisemitism in the area.
According to the Victoria Police, the incidents occurred within an hour of each other and just a mile apart. At approximately 8 p.m., a man reportedly poured a flammable liquid onto the front door of the East Melbourne Synagogue, igniting a fire while around 20 worshippers were inside. Fortunately, all individuals inside managed to escape through a rear exit, and the fire was contained to the entrance with no injuries reported. Investigations into the arson were immediately launched, although, as of now, there have been no arrests.
Simultaneously, protests erupted at a nearby Israeli restaurant, where around 20 demonstrators shouted "offensive chants" at diners. While police detained one protester for interfering with authorities, the exact nature of the chants and the extent of the damage remains unclear. However, local reports suggested that overturned tables and a broken window transpired amid the chaos. The restaurant's management chose not to comment on the incidents.
Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, addressed the situation in a statement, emphasizing the clear intentions behind the violent acts, while community leaders underscored the need for safety and vigilance in an atmosphere that has seen a worrying increase in attacks against Jewish institutions.
