A NSW man remains behind bars, accused of setting fire to a Melbourne synagogue with more than a dozen people inside
A NSW man has been charged after a Melbourne synagogue was set alight with more than a dozen people inside, prompting a furious response from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Police allege 34-year-old Angelo Loras, who did not apply for bail, entered the grounds of the East Melbourne Jewish Congregation on Albert Street at 8pm on Friday.
He then allegedly poured flammable liquid on the front door of the religious building and set it alight before fleeing, in an alleged antisemitic attack Home Affairs minister Tony Burke described as an "attack on Australia".
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Rabbi Dobid Gutnik was one of the 20 men, women and children taking part in Shabbat inside when the fire started but everyone was able to evacuate safely.
Fire crews were able to extinguish the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance.
Loras, from Toongabbie in NSW, was arrested in the Melbourne CBD about 8.15pm yesterday.
He was today charged with reckless conduct endangering life and serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon.
He did not apply for bail today.
Burke told media that while nobody was physically injured in the blaze, he warned it was an attack on both the Jewish community and the wider community.
"The community here was harmed. The Jewish community in Australia was harmed, and we were harmed as a nation," Burke said.
"There were three attacks that night, and none of them belonged in Australia. Arson attacks, the chanting calls for death, other attacks and graffiti.
"None of it belonged in Australia and they were attacks on Australia. So we've come together today to stand in solidarity with the community here."
https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1941566195301482941The attack also prompted a message from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who demanded action from the Australian government in a post on X.
"I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters," Netanyahu said.
"The reprehensible antisemitic attacks, with calls of 'Death to the IDF' and an attempt to attack a place of worship, are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted.
"The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community, and we demand that the Australian government take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law and prevent similar attacks in the future."
Detectives will continue to probe the intent and ideology of the man charged to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police investigate other separate incidents
Police said detectives are yet to establish any links to two additional incidents overnight.
A group of 20 protestors stormed and trashed an Israeli restaurant on Hardware Street in Melbourne's CBD.
Witnesses say the group was chanting "death to the IDF" before they arrived at the restaurant called Miznon.
Diners were fearful as the group threw food and chairs at windows and knocked over tables.
One 28-year-old was arrested at the time and has been released, and a further investigation will follow to identify the alleged offenders.
Dunstan said the small group had peeled away from a larger protest in the CBD.
Mohammed Sharab has led peaceful anti-genocide demonstrations in Melbourne for months.
"We condemn any attack on any worship places, but also we condemn the double standards," he said.
Police revealed a third incident took place this morning but have not linked the three separate attacks - it is not clear whether the third attack was an antisemitic-motivated attack.
In the third incident, a group of men entered the premises of a business on Para Road in Greensborough at 4.30am.
Three cars were torched and spray paint was used to vandalise vehicles and a wall of the business, which is known to manufacture parts for military planes.
Meanwhile police are investigating alleged offensive images painted in Melbourne today. The images are on walls and pillars in Elsternwick and Caulfield they say.
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