Police are looking for suspects in the synagogue fire in Australia

Police are looking for suspects in the synagogue fire in Australia

The police are looking for two masked people who triggered a fire in a synagogue in Melbourne early Friday morning. This incident is classified as an anti -Semitic attack that was sharply condemned by Jewish communities and the Prime Minister.

Details of the incident in the synagogue

The believers fled from the Adass Israel Synagogue in the south of the city when the fire broke out around 4 a.m. The synagogue regularly holds night prayers. A board member of the synagogue, Benjamin Klein, told the national broadcaster ABC: "It was knocked on the door, a liquid was poured in and set on fire. The few people inside the synagogue ran through the back door. One person was burned." Klein added: "The whole place was on fire pretty quickly."

Investigations by the police

The officials of the fire investment and explosive unit of the Victoria Police examine what they see as a targeted attack on one of the most important Jewish centers in Australia. Inspector Chris Murray told reporters that the attack was "targeted", but hesitated to describe the alleged arson attack as a terrorist attack. "We do not rule out or one," said Murray and said that he was "personally concerned" about the increase in anti -Semitic attacks.

reactions to the attack

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately condemned the attack as anti -Semitic. In an explanation, he said: "This violence and intimidation in a place of prayer is a scandal. This attack has endangered life and obviously aims to create fear in the community."

increasing anti -Semitism in Australia

The Jewish communities in all of Australia have found a drastic increase in anti -Semitic attacks and behaviors since October 7, 2023, when the war between Israel and Hamas began in Gaza. Robert Gregory, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, expressed: "I am outraged, but by no means surprised" about the attack. He emphasized that the community had warned the government for over a year before the increase in anti -Semitism and was not undertaken enough to counteract this.

further statements from the community

Sarah Schwartz, managing director of the Jewish Council of Australia, described the fire as "act hideous violence" and an attack on the Jewish community. "Nobody should be unsure in a place of prayer," she added.

political implications and developments

In July, the police officers had charged two people in connection with an arson attack on the office of local MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish. The war between Israel and Hamas has tightened the tensions between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups in Australia. In response to this, Albanese's government has appointed a special envoy to combat anti -Semitism and a special sentence for social cohesion.

The events continue to develop. Stay informed for current updates about this situation.