Two violent incidents in Melbourne's Jewish community have perturbed residents, prompting police investigations and local leaders to condemn the acts.
Melbourne's Jewish Community Shaken by Recent Violence
Melbourne's Jewish Community Shaken by Recent Violence
Arson at a synagogue and disruptions at an Israeli restaurant raise concerns among Jewish residents in Melbourne, Australia.
Violence erupted in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday night, alarming the city’s Jewish community after two separate incidents that seemed to target Jewish institutions. The disturbances occurred within a mile of each other just before 8 p.m., as authorities looked into the events that have intensified recent tensions.
In the first incident, an unidentified man committed arson by dousing the front entrance of the East Melbourne Synagogue with a flammable substance and setting it ablaze. Fortunately, with about 20 congregants present, everyone was able to escape through a rear exit before firefighters contained the fire to the synagogue's front door. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and police have started an investigation into the arson.
Simultaneously, at an Israeli restaurant in the city's center, as many as 20 protesters shouted “offensive chants” at diners, creating a scene that prompted police to intervene. One protester was arrested for obstructing police, but details regarding any damage or specifics about the chants have not been disclosed. Local news reports noted overturned tables and broken windows in the aftermath of the disturbance.
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, released a statement indicating the troubling nature of the intentions behind these attacks, reflecting broader issues of antisemitism that have been growing in the region. The incidents have left local Jewish leaders and residents feeling anxious as the community grapples with these startling acts of violence.
