An arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne last week is being investigated as a terrorist incident, Australian officials said Monday. The Adass Israel Synagogue, a significant Jewish center in the city's south, was targeted in the attack that occurred during overnight prayers, causing worshippers to flee as the building burst into flames.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton described the attack as 'horrific, callous, and targeted,' indicating that it is likely a terrorist incident. A joint counter-terrorism team, including Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), will be handling the investigation.
Authorities are currently searching for three suspects in connection with the firebombing, although details about their identities or prior police involvement have not been disclosed. Despite the incident, there is no evidence suggesting further attacks on other synagogues in Melbourne, according to Patton, who assured continued police patrols in areas with a significant Jewish population.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, labeling it as the third antisemitic incident in recent months. In response, the Australian Federal Police established Operation Avalite, a special task force aimed at addressing antisemitic attacks, including the fire at a Jewish minister's office in Melbourne and vandalism in a Jewish area of Sydney.
The government has allocated an additional 32.5 million Australian dollars to enhance security at Jewish community sites nationwide, such as synagogues and schools. This decision follows a surge in antisemitic attacks reported by Jewish communities across Australia since the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the Melbourne attack as an act of antisemitism and linked it to Australia's support of a UN resolution calling for an end to hostilities in Gaza. Despite criticism, Albanese reaffirmed Australia's bipartisan stance on a two-state solution in the Middle East, emphasizing the country's commitment to promoting peace and security in the region.
