BREAKING NEWS Benjamin Netanyahu UNLEASHES on Australia in stunning broadside as furious Israeli Prime Minister condemns East Melbourne synagogue arson attack
The front of the East Hebrew Congregation was allegedly set on fire on Albert Street, in East Melbourne, at 8pm on Friday.
A short time later, protesters gathered outside Israeli restaurant Miznon on nearby Hardware Lane.
Police said about 20 of them shouted 'offensive chants' and were directed to leave the area.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team arrested a 34-year-old man from Toongabbie, western Sydney, in Melbourne's CBD at 8.15pm on Saturday and charged him over the alleged arson attack at the synagogue.
Netanyahu joined high-ranking Israeli officials to condemn the incidents and demand the government to take 'all necessary measures' to bring those responsible to justice.
'Vile antisemitic attacks, accompanied by chants of 'Death to the IDF' and an attempt to harm a house of worship, are serious hate crimes that must be uprooted at their source,' he said.
'Israel will continue to stand with the Jewish community in Australia, and we call on the Australian government to take all necessary measures to bring the rioters to justice and to prevent such attacks in the future.'
Victoria Police allege the man walked through Parliament Gardens before setting the front of the synagogue alight.
'The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene on foot in a westerly direction along Albert Street,' a spokesman said.
'There were approximately 20 people inside the synagogue at the time of the incident, taking part in Shabbat.
'Everyone inside self-evacuated through the rear of the building and were uninjured.'
The man faces charges of reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possessing a controlled weapon.
The man will front Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Sunday.
The arrest comes after police released on Saturday an image of a man they wished to speak to over the alleged arson attack.
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