Police investigating after suspicious fire at synagogue in East Melbourne while about 20 people inside
An unknown man is understood to have entered the grounds of the synagogue on Albert Street in East Melbourne about 8pm on Friday night.
The alleged offender poured a flammable liquid at the front entrance of the East Melbourne Synagogue, before allegedly setting it on fire and fleeing the scene on foot in a westerly direction.
About 20 people were inside the synagogue when the incident happened, but they safely self-evacuated out the back of the building.
No injuries have been reported.
Firefighters attended the scene and put the blaze out, but it was fortunately contained to just the front door.
Victoria Police said officers were "engaging with people from the synagogue" and other members of the Jewish community to "ensure appropriate supports are in place.
It maintained there is "absolutely no placein our society for antisemitic of hate-based behaviour".
In a statement to SkyNews.com.au, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the incident was "a return to the antisemitic terror of the summer months" and that 20 Jewish Australians were sitting down to a traditional Shabbat dinner inside.
"These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community and clear evidence that the antisemitism crisis is not only continuing, but getting worse. We urge all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes," he said.
"Those who chant for death are not peace activists. Those who would burn houses of prayer with families inside do not seek an end to war. There is a violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements, that taps into anger and prejudice, and smirks as businesses are destroyed, lives are threatened and proud, patriotic Australians experience fear in their own homes and their own streets.
"Those responsible cannot be reasoned with or appeased. They must be confronted with the full force of the law."
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