A large blaze engulfed the very religious Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in Melbourne’s south-east on Friday morning, and is being treated as a deliberately lit fire.
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The Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea.
Adass men at prayer on a normal day
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, visited the scene on Friday afternoon, saying she was disgusted by the attack as she pledged $100,000 for rebuilding work at the synagogue. Allan was joined by members of Victoria’s Jewish community as she spoke at the synagogue on Friday. She said she stood with the community on one of their darkest days in Melbourne, condemning the hateful and violent act. What else is an attack on a synagogue other than an act of anti-semitism? Asked if the incident was domestic terrorism, Allan said police were not ruling anything out.
Allan said every available resource would be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart. We stand with the Adass Israel congregation who are heart broken. We stand with the entire Jewish community who have every right to go to shule, pray openly and be proud of who they are – without fearing personal crises. And we stand against anti-semitism, now and for ever.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the suspicious fire at a Melbourne synagogue as a deliberate, unlawful attack, saying anti-semitism has no place in Australia. In his statement, the prime minister said he unequivocally condemned the attack. I have zero tolerance for anti-semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage, Albanese said. This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community. He said counter-terror police were involved in the investigation. Police say two people were seen spreading accelerant inside Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea There are two persons of interest who were there and were witnessed using accelerant and then spreading it with a broom, clearly designed to maximise the damage that could occur, he said.
Allan said every available resource would be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart. We stand with the Adass Israel congregation who are heart broken. We stand with the entire Jewish community who have every right to go to shule, pray openly and be proud of who they are – without fearing personal crises. And we stand against anti-semitism, now and for ever.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the suspicious fire at a Melbourne synagogue as a deliberate, unlawful attack, saying anti-semitism has no place in Australia. In his statement, the prime minister said he unequivocally condemned the attack. I have zero tolerance for anti-semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage, Albanese said. This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community. He said counter-terror police were involved in the investigation. Police say two people were seen spreading accelerant inside Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea There are two persons of interest who were there and were witnessed using accelerant and then spreading it with a broom, clearly designed to maximise the damage that could occur, he said.
Firemen having the fire under control
What remains of the synagogue interior
The Age
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton said the shocking attack was predictable amid a rise in anti-semitism 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, he told reporters.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann said two thugs broke the synagogue’s windows, outrageously threw fuel on the floor and set it alight as people were preparing to pray very early Friday. 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.
Det Insp Chris Murray, Arson and Explosive Squad, confirmed a witness who had entered the synagogue for morning prayers had seen two masked individuals inside. He said the police had yet to identify the accelerant that was used. Murray said one witness was injured. He 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. He was there to give that reassurance to the community that they will do everything to bring these individuals before the courts, he told reporters.
Murray said he believed the incident was captured on CCTV, but footage had not been obtained. Police are urging anyone with CCTV and dashcam Stoppers to come forward since they were looking for vehicles, and for the two individuals. He said the motive behind the attack was unclear and that they needed some starting points. Other viewers thought the motives were clear.
Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Brayden Sinnamon, said the building was fully involved in the fire since the synagogue had sustained significant damage and crews had to use breathing apparatus. 60 fire fighters and 17 fire trucks were called to the synagogue at about 4.10 am.
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. There is absolutely no way that any rational person can justify what has happened here today. The Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s chief executive, Naomi Levin, said the incident was not just a crime against a place of worship, but an affront to the values of religious tolerance. Synagogue Board Member Benjamin Klein told Channel 9 he was shocked; the men had just wanted to pray in peace.
Thank you to The Guardian Fri 6 Dec 2024.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann said two thugs broke the synagogue’s windows, outrageously threw fuel on the floor and set it alight as people were preparing to pray very early Friday. 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.
Det Insp Chris Murray, Arson and Explosive Squad, confirmed a witness who had entered the synagogue for morning prayers had seen two masked individuals inside. He said the police had yet to identify the accelerant that was used. Murray said one witness was injured. He 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. He was there to give that reassurance to the community that they will do everything to bring these individuals before the courts, he told reporters.
Murray said he believed the incident was captured on CCTV, but footage had not been obtained. Police are urging anyone with CCTV and dashcam Stoppers to come forward since they were looking for vehicles, and for the two individuals. He said the motive behind the attack was unclear and that they needed some starting points. Other viewers thought the motives were clear.
Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Brayden Sinnamon, said the building was fully involved in the fire since the synagogue had sustained significant damage and crews had to use breathing apparatus. 60 fire fighters and 17 fire trucks were called to the synagogue at about 4.10 am.
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. There is absolutely no way that any rational person can justify what has happened here today. The Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s chief executive, Naomi Levin, said the incident was not just a crime against a place of worship, but an affront to the values of religious tolerance. Synagogue Board Member Benjamin Klein told Channel 9 he was shocked; the men had just wanted to pray in peace.
Thank you to The Guardian Fri 6 Dec 2024.