Melbourne Synagogue Blaze Considered ‘Likely Terror Act’ by Authorities

The fire at Melbourne's Adass Israel synagogue is being investigated as a possible terror attack, with police hunting for suspects. Community leaders express fears over escalating antisemitism amid heightened security measures.

A significant fire at the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is now being treated as a likely act of terrorism, according to Australian police. The incident occurred early on Friday and resulted in considerable damage, with reports indicating that a man sustained a minor burn while trying to escape. Eyewitness accounts describe the presence of masked individuals who were seen using what seemed to be an accelerant before igniting the flames.

Victoria Police have heightened their response in the wake of this incident, although they state there is currently no intelligence suggesting that further antisemitic attacks are imminent. Increased patrols are being deployed in areas with large Jewish populations to ensure community safety. Following discussions with the Australian Federal Police and the country’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, authorities determined that additional intelligence warranted classifying the arson as a probable terror attack.

Commissioner Shane Patton noted that no prior warnings about a potential arson were available prior to the fire. His comments come in light of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's prior statement describing the event as “quite clearly terrorism,” which he later clarified was a personal viewpoint rather than an official classification.

As the investigation unfolds, Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, remarked that categorizing the fire as terrorism will provide police with extra resources. Leaders from the Jewish community in Australia have voiced concerns that this incident marks a troubling escalation in antisemitic sentiments and violence, as they have been tracking an upswing in such incidents recently.

Witnesses have recounted the distressing moments leading up to the fire, sharing experiences of loud banging sounds and the shattering of windows before individuals were observed tossing lit liquids inside the synagogue. Benjamin Klein, a member of the synagogue board, has echoed these sentiments of fear, stating that the situation escalated rapidly after the arson began.

In light of the heightened anxiety among Jewish community members, Commissioner Patton emphasized the police's commitment to ensuring their safety amidst these challenging circumstances. In solidarity, Premier Allan called on the broader community to support its Jewish residents and denounced allowing international conflicts to serve as justification for local acts of violence.