A wave of disturbing antisemitic incidents struck melbourne, Australia, over the weekend, sparking widespread fear and condemnation. On Friday night, an arsonist targeted a synagogue during Shabbat dinner, and a protest group stormed a city restaurant popular with diners. Early Saturday saw cars set alight near a business in the city’s northeast. These attacks are the latest in a worrying trend of rising antisemitism impacting Australian cities. Authorities are investigating the incidents across Melbourne, but the events have already caused significant anxiety within the Jewish community and drawn strong rebukes from political and community leaders alike.
Synagogue Arson Shocks East Melbourne
The most alarming incident occurred Friday evening, July 4, around 8 p.m. in East Melbourne. A man approached the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Albert Street. He poured flammable liquid on the front door of the building. The man then set the door ablaze before quickly fleeing the scene.
Approximately 20 people were inside the synagogue at the time. They were gathered for Shabbat dinner, marking the beginning of the Jewish day of rest. Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, who was present, noticed unusual activity on security cameras. Smoke began entering the building shortly after.
Thankfully, everyone inside was able to evacuate safely through the rear. No injuries were reported. Firefighters arrived swiftly due to the fire station’s proximity. They managed to extinguish the small fire. The damage was contained to the synagogue’s front entrance.
Police are actively searching for the perpetrator. They have released images and a description of a man they want to speak to. He is described as Caucasian, believed to be in his 30s, with a beard and long hair. This attack marks the second arson incident targeting a Jewish place of worship in Melbourne since December, following the major fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue. The historical significance of the East Melbourne synagogue, one of the city’s oldest dating back to the 1870s, added to the community’s distress.
Congregant Jenny Segal described the incident as “very scary.” She expressed shock that such an event could happen in Melbourne, stating she no longer feels as safe. Rabbi Gutnick believes the security footage suggests the attack was “well prepared” and deliberate. He spoke of a “darkness hovering” but reaffirmed the synagogue’s mission to be a welcoming “beacon” despite the need for increased security.
Restaurant Protest and Vehicle Fires Investigated
Just over a kilometer from the synagogue, another incident unfolded on Friday night. Around 20 protesters stormed Miznon, an Israeli-owned restaurant on Hardware Lane in the city’s central business district (CBD). This group splintered off from a larger protest held earlier on Swanston Street. The restaurant is located in a popular area for dining and nightlife.
The protesters interrupted diners inside the restaurant. They reportedly chanted offensive slogans. Witnesses cited chanting “Death to the IDF” before the group arrived. They also turned over tables and damaged a window. A photojournalist who followed the group reported that disorder, including tables being flipped and chairs thrown, occurred after most diners had already vacated the premises.
Victoria Police confirmed the incident. One person, a 28-year-old, was arrested for hindering police. They were later released on a summons. Staff at Miznon, which first launched in Tel Aviv in 2011 before opening its Melbourne branch, acknowledged the incident when contacted by media.
A group involved in the protest stated they targeted Miznon partly because it is owned by Shahar Segal. Segal is a spokesman for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. However, the group denied any link to the synagogue attack. They also condemned attacks on places of worship. The group attributed the throwing of bollards during the protest to “young teenagers.”
In a separate incident, three cars were set on fire early Saturday morning. This attack occurred near a business in the northeastern Melbourne suburb of Greensborough. Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan of Victoria state police said suspects spray-painted the cars and the walls of the buildings. The spray paint included “some references of antisemitism.” One car was destroyed, and two others sustained moderate damage. The business had previously experienced “some pro-Palestinian activity” in the past year, police noted.
Police are investigating potential links between the three incidents. While they are liaising with counter-terrorism command, they have not yet declared any of the events terrorism incidents. Acting Commander Dunstan stated investigators will examine the intent and ideology of the persons involved. Police are treating all three incidents “incredibly seriously,” emphasizing there is “no place in Australia for hatred or discrimination of any kind.”
Widespread Condemnation and Growing Concerns
The attacks drew immediate and forceful condemnation from across the political spectrum and community leadership. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan denounced the synagogue attack on social media Saturday. She described it as “disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards.” Premier Allan stated the attack was “designed to shatter…peace and traumatise Jewish families.” She added that its occurrence on Shabbat made it “all the more abhorrent,” noting the presence of women and children inside. “Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate,” she wrote, “and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of anti-Semitism.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attacks “shocking acts.” He stated firmly that antisemitism has “no place in Australia.” The Prime Minister pledged full government support to ensure those responsible face the “full force of the law.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly issued a joint statement condemning antisemitism as “evil.” Federal security and intelligence agencies, including ASIO and the AFP, are supporting Victoria Police in their investigation into the synagogue arson and the restaurant incident.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece described the synagogue attack as “shocking.” He stated he could not condemn such behavior in stronger terms. “this is a city of peace and tolerance,” he said, “and we will not stand for this.” Opposition leader Sussan Ley called the incidents “horrifying” and highlighted what she sees as a “growing crisis of antisemitism in Australia.” Shadow Police Minister David Southwick echoed this, describing the attacks as hate crimes. He argued strongly against importing conflicts from the Middle East into Melbourne.
Jewish community leaders expressed deep concern and outrage. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), described the events as “a return to the antisemitic terror of the summer months.” He called them a “severe escalation,” stating the “antisemitism crisis is not only continuing but getting worse.” Ryvchin urged the nation to condemn “these deplorable crimes,” asserting that those responsible “cannot be reasoned with or appeased.” He stressed they “must be confronted with the full force of the law.” The Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, labelled the synagogue attack “barbaric” and potentially fatal, demanding action, justice, and protection.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Resilience
Victoria Police’s security investigation unit, part of the counter-terrorism command, is leading the investigation into all three incidents. Federal agencies like ASIO and the AFP are providing assistance, particularly with the synagogue and restaurant attacks. The complex process of determining the precise intent and ideology of the perpetrators is ongoing before any official terrorism declaration can be made. Authorities are meticulously examining all available evidence, including security footage and witness accounts. The description of the suspect in the synagogue arson is a key focus of their efforts.
The incidents highlight the heightened state of anxiety within Australia’s 117,000-strong Jewish population. They have faced a spate of antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne since late 2024, including arson, vandalism, and hate speech. The weekend’s events represent a significant escalation, bringing the threat directly to places of worship and public spaces.
Despite the fear, there has also been a strong show of community support. Leaders from neighboring churches offered solidarity to the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Jewish community leaders expressed gratitude for public support received, viewing the attackers as extremists who do not represent broader Australian society. Naomi Levin, CEO of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, reported receiving support from city officials and passers-by. This resilience underscores the community’s determination to maintain its presence and traditions in the face of hate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific antisemitic incidents occurred in Melbourne recently?
Over the weekend of July 4-5, 2025, Melbourne experienced three key incidents. On Friday night, a man set fire to the front door of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue. Separately that evening, a protest group stormed the Miznon restaurant in the CBD, overturning tables and chanting. Early Saturday morning, three cars were set alight near a business in Greensborough, with antisemitic graffiti found nearby.
Who is investigating these Melbourne attacks, and are they considered terrorism?
Victoria Police’s security investigation unit, linked to counter-terrorism command, is leading the investigation into all three incidents. Federal agencies like ASIO and the AFP are assisting. While police are liaising with counter-terrorism, they have stated they are not officially treating the incidents as acts of terrorism at this stage. They are currently examining the intent and ideology of the perpetrators involved.
Are these attacks part of a larger pattern of antisemitism in Australia?
Yes, political leaders and community figures have explicitly stated these events are part of a broader, concerning trend. Antisemitic attacks have risen significantly in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, since late 2024. These latest incidents, including the second synagogue arson since December (referencing the Adass Israel fire), are viewed by community leaders as a severe escalation of an ongoing antisemitism crisis.
These recent events serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Jewish community in Australia. The attacks on a sacred place of worship and a public business are deeply concerning. Authorities continue their investigations to bring those responsible to justice. The widespread condemnation from leaders highlights a unified stance against hatred. However, the incidents underscore the urgent need for continued vigilance and action to combat rising antisemitism and ensure the safety and security of all communities.
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