The Melbourne Archdiocese has condemned the firebomb attack on a synagogue in the inner southeast suburb of Ripponlea on Friday. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The Adass Israel Synagogue was firebombed and significantly damaged about 4am on Friday by what police suspect was a trio of young men or possibly teenagers, News.com.au reports.
Two worshippers were in the temple at the time; there were no major injuries but a Jewish man who fled when a window was smashed burnt his hand on a door.
Handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture worth millions of dollars were destroyed or badly damaged.
In a statement on its website on Friday, the Melbourne Archdiocese said it “utterly condemns the appalling attack” on the synagogue.
“A peaceful place of worship has been violated – nothing can justify such violence,” the statement read.
“Antisemitism has no place in our society. We stand in prayerful solidarity with members of the Jewish community at this time.”
In the wake of the attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the “shocking” and “un-Australian” incident “should be unequivocally condemned”, News.com.au reported.
“To attack a synagogue is an attack of anti-Semitism. It’s attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security,” Mr Albanese said.
Despite the condemnation, Mr Albanese was criticised for not immediately calling the attack a terrorist act.
Mr Albanese yesterday said it was his “personal view” that the arson attack an act of terrorism, ABC News reports.
“Quite clearly terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community, and the attacks on the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were,” he said yesterday.
“And therefore, from my personal perspective, [they] certainly fulfil that definition of terrorism.”
Federal and Victorian police will meet today to discuss the incident and weigh up an official terror declaration, which would unlock extra policing powers.
FULL STORY
Statement from the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (Melbourne Catholic)
Vigil held at Melbourne’s firebombed Adass Israel Synagogue after fire attack (By Blair Jackson, News.com.au)
Anthony Albanese says attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue ‘quite clearly’ terrorism (By Tom Crowley, ABC News)
