Australian leader blames antisemitism for arson that extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue

MELBOURNE, Australia — Arsonists extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue on Friday in what Australia's prime minister condemned as an antisemitic attack on Australian values.

The blaze in the Adass Israel Synagogue is an escalation in targeted attacks in Australia since the war began between Israel and Hamas last year. Cars and buildings have been vandalized and torched around Australia in protests inspired by the war.

A witness who had come to the synagogue to pray saw two masked men spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms inside the building at 4:10 a.m., officials said.

About 60 firefighters with 17 fire trucks responded to the blaze, which police said caused extensive damage.

Investigators have yet to identify a motive, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed antisemitism.

''This was a shocking incident to be unequivocally condemned. There is no place in Australia for an outrage such as this,'' Albanese told reporters.

''To attack a place of worship is an attack on Australian values. To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism, is attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security,'' he added.

''Antisemitism must be relentlessly confronted. I urge Australian authorities to act swiftly and ensure the despicable perpetrators are brought to justice,'' he said.

A religious leader at the torched synagogue, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, described the arsonists as ''thugs.''

''Tonight is the Sabbath. We must all go and find a sense of calmness, comradery and community by gathering for the Sabbath tonight and praying together as one community,'' Klatmann told reporters outside the synagogue.

Federal law in January banned the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols in response to growing antisemitism.

The government appointed special envoys this year to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in the community.

''I'm very concerned. Here is one major escalation in terms of burning synagogues which has resonance as to what happened during the Holocaust,'' Segal said.

Victoria state Premier Jacinta Allan noted in a statement that the synagogue was ''built by Holocaust survivors.''

Many of the synagogue's original worshippers were post-World War II immigrants from Hungary.

Allan offered 100,000 Australian dollars ($64,300) to help repair the synagogue and said there would be an increased police presence in the area.

''Every available resource will be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart,'' Allan said.

Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the broader Australian community needed to condemn the arson attack.

''I've been getting phone calls this morning from the Hindu community, from other people, from good people who are prepared to stand up and that's my message for this morning to Australia, to the good people of Australia,'' Aghion told reporters.