‘Death to IDF': Pro-Palestine protesters storm Jewish restaurant
Jewish community leaders in the city said they suffered two anti-Semitic attacks within half an hour of each other on Friday, as they called for the 'full force of the law' to be used against the perpetrators.
At about 8pm, a group of unidentified men were caught on CCTV pouring flammable liquid on the door of the East Melbourne Synagogue, attempting to burn it down while 20 people were worshipping inside.
Shortly afterwards, the Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon, which specialises in Mediterranean-style street food, was targeted by rioters.
'Across town a short time later, a mob chanting 'death to the IDF' stormed an Israeli restaurant, terrorised diners and caused extensive damage,' said Alex Ryvchin, co-leader of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
'These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community and clear evidence that the anti-Semitism crisis is not only continuing, but getting worse. We urge all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes,' he added.
The attacks took place after sundown on Friday, at the beginning of the Sabbath where Jews attend synagogues or gather for their weekly Shabbat dinner. Worshippers were able to escape the flames through a rear exit of the synagogue.
The words 'death, death to the IDF' were chanted by the British punk musician Bob Vylan during his performance at the Glastonbury music festival last week, triggering an avalanche of criticism of the BBC which live streamed the performance.
The rioters who entered the restaurant threw chairs, smashed glasses, overturned tables and threw food around as the diners fled, Australian news outlet 7News reported.
Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, has condemned the attacks and said he would offer federal government support to state authorities in Victoria.
'Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law and my government will provide all necessary support toward this effort,' he said.
Sussan Ley, the leader of the Australian opposition, described the attacks as 'horrifying' and said it was 'now impossible to ignore the growing crisis of anti-Semitism in Australia'.
Later on Friday, Australian police said they were investigating a third incident in Greensborough, a suburb of Melbourne, where three cars were set on fire.
'The offenders also used spray paint on one of the cars and on a building wall. One of the cars was destroyed, while the other two were moderately damaged. We have local detectives investigating and they have the support of our counter-terrorism command as well as our crime command,' Victoria police said in a statement.
Officers have also circulated a picture of a man that they would like to speak to in connection with the synagogue attack which is being treated as an act of terrorism by the authorities .
Police arrested a 28-year-old on suspicion of hindering police at the scene of the Miznon restaurant attack, and later released him pending a court summons, CNN Australia reported.
Mr Ryvchin said the night of violence marked a 'return to the anti-Semitic terror of the summer months,' referring to a spate of similar incidents in 2024 as Israel's war in Gaza raged.
'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,' he added.
'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.'
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