Counter-terrorism police and the arson squad are investigating the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue that both the prime minister and the Victorian premier have condemned as an act of antisemitism.
A large blaze engulfed the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in Melbourne’s south-east on Friday morning and police are treating the fire as deliberately lit.
Victoria police are searching for two masked individuals who were seen spreading an accelerant at the synagogue before the fire broke out. About 60 firefighters and 17 trucks were called to the site about 4.10am.
The premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the site on Friday afternoon and said the attack on a Jewish place of worship could be nothing “other than an act of antisemitism”. Allan, who was joined by Jewish leaders, also pledged $100,000 for rebuilding work at the synagogue, which police said had sustained significant damage.
“This is a place of worship that was built by Holocaust survivors who fled that most evil regime in Europe and chose Melbourne as their home,” she told reporters.
Allan said she stood with the community on “one of their darkest days” and condemned the “hateful” and “violent” act.
In a statement, Anthony Albanese said he “unequivocally” condemned the “deliberate, unlawful attack”.
Speaking in Western Australia, the prime minister said attacking a place of worship was an “attack on Australian values”.
“To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism, is attacking the right that all Australians should have to practise their faith in peace and security.”
Albanese said all resources requested from the Australian federal police and other agencies would be provided so those responsible would be held to account for the “shocking crime”.
Albanese earlier on Friday confirmed the joint counter-terrorism strike force would work with Victoria police on the investigation.
Peter Dutton said the “shocking” attack was predictable amid a rise in antisemitism in Australia.
“To see the firebombing of a synagogue, a place of worship, is something that is not welcome and has no place in our country whatsoever,” the opposition leader told reporters.
Police believe the attack was targeted and renewed an appeal for information.
Det Insp Chris Murray said police were not ruling out terrorism as a motive as they searched for the suspected arsonists.
“We are throwing everything at this,” he told reporters outside the synagogue on Friday.
The founder of Yumi’s dips, Yumi Friedman, was inside and described a “big bang on the door with a sledgehammer”, before he fled to call help.
He returned to find the synagogue was fully alight.
“I touched the door, it was hot and I burnt my hand so I didn’t go inside,” he told AAP.
Fellow congregant Ruvi Herzogtold told the news agency: “It’s devastating, right to the heart of the community, to go and to know that you’re not safe.”
Glen Eira is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Victoria with 25,585 people, according to state government data.
The attack prompted widespread condemnation from state and federal MPs. The Victorian opposition leader, John Pesutto, and the deputy Liberal leader, David Southwick, said the Jewish community needed answers amid the “worst level of antisemitism in living memory”.
“Nothing justifies the destruction of a place of worship and those responsible should face the full force of the law,” the pair said in a statement.
Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said the “outrageous” attack served as a chilling reminder that antisemitism was not a relic of the past.
Jewish groups stressed on Friday they were shocked but not surprised about the attack.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s president, Daniel Aghion, said it was a “tragic day”.
“We have been warning about the risk of this since last year, 7 October,” he said.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann described “two thugs” who broke the synagogue’s windows, threw fuel on the floor and set it alight as people were preparing to pray early on Friday morning.
“It’s outrageous,” he told reporters at the scene.
“Tonight is the sabbath, we must all go and find a sense of calmness, camaraderie and community by gathering for the sabbath tonight and praying together as one community.”
Synagogue board member Benjamin Klein told Channel 9 he was “shocked” by the incident.
“[We] didn’t think it would happen here in Melbourne to us. We’re a quiet community, we have our heads down, we don’t bother anybody, we wish everybody well,” he said.
Det Insp Murray said police wanted to assure the community they were treating the incident “absolutely seriously” as he stressed patrols in the area would be ramped up.
Murray said he believed the incident was captured on CCTV, but footage had not been obtained. Police are urging anyone with CCTV and dashcam footage in the area, from 3am onwards on Friday, to contact Crime Stoppers.
