Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemns ‘reprehensible' antisemitic Melbourne synagogue attack
A 34-year-old man from New South Wales has been charged after allegedly entering the grounds of the East Melbourne Hebrew congregation on Albert Street at about 8pm on Friday and pouring a flammable liquid on the front door of the building, setting it on fire.
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Two other potentially linked incidents, including an arrest after an incident between protesters and police at a Melbourne CBD restaurant, also took place overnight on Friday.
'I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters,' Netanyahu said via series of posts on X on Sunday morning.
'The reprehensible antisemitic attacks, with calls of 'Death to the IDF' and an attempt to attack a place of worship, are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted.
'The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community, and we demand that the Australian government take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law and prevent similar attacks in the future.'
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