A 34-year-old man, Angelo Loras, has been charged over the arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Friday, the 4th of July, where he allegedly set fire to the front door while 20 people were inside for Shabbat, though thankfully no one was injured. Police are investigating possible terrorism links and ideological motives behind the attack. On the same night, a group of protesters entered the Jewish-owned Miznon restaurant in Melbourne’s CBD, shouting antisemitic chants. Three cars were also set alight at a Greensborough business, though no confirmed connection has been established between the events. Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Isaac Herzog strongly condemned the incidents, calling them reprehensible acts of antisemitism and urging Australia to act decisively. Australian officials, including Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, met with Jewish community leaders, expressing solidarity and condemning the violence as an attack on the entire nation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also denounced the incidents, promising full investigations and government support. In response, the government of Victoria is preparing new laws to ban protest face masks, hate symbols, and restrict protests near places of worship, though these measures have yet to be presented in parliament. Opposition figures criticized the government for delaying action and ignoring previous warnings about rising antisemitism. Jewish leaders welcomed political attention but voiced frustration over the repeated targeting of their community and the slow pace of change. They stressed the need for real protection and emphasized the fear growing within the Jewish population. Authorities insist they are working carefully to draft effective, balanced legislation. The broader consensus among leaders is that such acts of antisemitic violence are not just attacks on Jews but on all Australians and must be addressed urgently and collectively.
Roberto Colle
