Latest news with #AustralianJewishAssociation
ABC News
4 days ago
- ABC News
Police investigate video claiming responsibility for arson attack on Melbourne business
Police are investigating a video purporting to be from a group responsible for an arson attack on a Melbourne business earlier this month. In the early hours of July 5, arsonists targeted Lovitt Technologies Australia, a manufacturer, setting three vehicles alight and graffitiing a building. The video, posted online by the Australian Jewish Association (AJA), shows a person dressed head-to-toe in black standing in front of the Palestinian flag. An altered voice plays over the video, with the speaker further threatening Lovitt Technologies and telling it to "stop arming Israel or else". The speaker claims Lovitt Technologies was targeted for supplying parts to make F-35 fighter jets. In 2023, the company secured a grant to help it continue working on the global F-35 program. Israel uses a version of the F-35 fighter jet. Lovitt Technologies declined to comment. The origin of the video is unclear and it has not been verified by the ABC. In one section of the video, the speaker says "every worker in the supply chain is complicit". The video concludes with the speaker giving instructions on how to perpetrate an arson attack on a vehicle. In the video, the speaker also mentions genocide in Australia due to colonisation and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are displayed in the foreground of the video. The voiceover says: "Death to Israel. Death to Australia. Death to America". Victoria Police said the July 5 attack on Lovitt Technologies was being investigated by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which also includes the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). The JCTT is also investigating the arson at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne in December last year. "Investigators are aware of a video which has been circulating where a group has claimed responsibility for the incident," Victoria Police said. "This video is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation." The attack at Lovitt Technologies occurred shortly after an incident where the door to a synagogue in East Melbourne was set alight and protesters swarmed Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in the city's CBD. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the synagogue fire, and three protesters were charged over an altercation during the restaurant protest. Police have said that no links had been established between any of the incidents, which reignited discussion about antisemitism in Australia. Acting Premier Jaclyn Symes defended the Victorian government's response to the events on Monday and said she was aware of the circulating video but had not watched it. "Apart from the fact it is hurtful, it is unacceptable, and I expect the appropriate authorities will deal with it as they see fit, she said.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Consider this a warning': Disturbing video shows anti-Israel group's chilling threat to Victorian business workers
Disturbing footage revealed shows an anonymous masked figure threatening workers at a Victorian business which was firebombed and sprayed with anti-Semitic messages just weeks prior. An anonymous 'cell' which claimed responsibility after a firebombing in Melbourne have released a video issuing a 'serious threat' to staff at a Victorian machining manufacturer. The video shows a masked figure dressed in all black addressing workers at Lovitt Technologies, less than a few weeks after three cars were set on fire and graffitied with anti-Semitic messages outside the business. 'Let there be no illusions as to what this was,' the figure said. 'This was not an accident nor thoughtless vandalism; this is a clear and serious threat.' The figure in the video says Lovitt Technologies workers have watched on as Israel 'accelerated genocide' in Gaza, and addresses 'oppression, ethnic cleansing and murder' of Indigenous Australians. 'Every worker in this supply chain is complicit,' the person said. 'You have had years to contemplate the consequences of your actions.' 'We will decide your fate, as you have decided the fate of millions.' The person goes on to reveal terrifying information held by members of the anonymous group. 'For the past few months we have been closely watching you,' the figure said. — Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) July 13, 2025 'We have your addresses.' 'Stop arming Israel, or else…' Further along, the masked figure encourages others to take action using fire starters. 'Be mindful of fingerprints and DNA,' the person said. 'Every colony will burn, land back and liberation will grow from their ashes.' 'Death to Israel, death to Australia, death to America.' Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said the video is a 'deeply troubling escalation,' and it is only a matter of time before someone is physically harmed. 'This is a deeply troubling escalation and a clear incitement to domestic terrorism,' he said. 'Authorities must act urgently – before someone is seriously harmed or killed.' A Victoria Police spokesperson said the video was being reviewed, and anyone with information is urged to come forward. "Investigators are aware of a video circulating where a group has claimed responsibility for the incident," they said. "The video is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation." Sky News Australia has contacted Lovitt Technologies for comment.
Sky News AU
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Coalition, Jewish leaders and international allies question Labor's decision to sanction two Israeli cabinet ministers
The Albanese government has faced mounting criticism over its decision to impose sanctions on two Israeli cabinet ministers over the Gaza War. Domestic Jewish leaders, the federal opposition and key international allies have all questioned Foreign Minister Penny Wong's decision to impose the sanctions. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich were sanctioned over claims they had incited extremist violence. These sanctions mean all their assets in Australia must be frozen, they must not enter Australia and making assets available to them would be an offence. The Australian Jewish Association (AJA) has condemned the sanctions, accusing Labor of targeting Israeli leaders while ignoring Palestinian violence. 'The AJA is appalled by reports that the Albanese Government is imposing sanctions on ministers of the Israeli government,' CEO Robert Gregory said. 'This action represents a hostile and unjustified attack on a democratic ally and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. 'Under the Albanese government, Australia's longstanding bipartisan relationship with Israel has been severely damaged.' Mr Gregory warned the government's actions have 'emboldened Islamic extremists' and had 'contributed to a rise in antisemitism at home'. Teal MP Allegra Spender told Sky News there will be 'a lot of concern' in her community, given that she represents an electorate with many Jewish residents. 'I've sought a briefing from the foreign minister in relation to (the sanctions) in terms of … what is the justification for this,' she said. Coalition frontbencher Dan Tehan also questioned the government's decision, warning of diplomatic consequences and demanding a briefing. 'This is a very serious move to sanction two ministers from a democratically elected government,' Mr Tehan told ABC Radio National on Wednesday. 'And what we want is a briefing… We also would like to know how it's going to help the peace process.' Mr Tehan said that the government needed to explain why this was a good decision when the US 'has said it's likely to be unhelpful'. US Senator Marco Rubio called on the Albanese government to reverse the sanctions on Wednesday. '"The United States condemns the sanctions imposed by the governments of United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, and Australia,' he said. 'These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war.' In Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the sanctions as 'outrageous' and said they would undermine peace efforts. Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the move at a press conference on Tuesday, saying the ministers had committed 'serious human rights violations'. She said the decision was made in coordination with like-minded partners and was aimed at 'advancing peace and the cause of a two-state solution'. Asked by Sky News whether Australia would consider sanctioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ms Wong did not rule it out. 'We don't speculate about the approach,' she said, adding that the two ministers were 'not the only members of the Israeli government whose actions have been problematic'.
Sky News AU
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
US ambassador to Israel intervenes after Hillel Fuld's banning from Australia
Sky News host Peta Credlin says the US ambassador to Israel has stepped in after the Albanese government quietly cancelled the travel visa of Israeli-American tech advocate Hillel Fuld who was due to visit in the coming weeks. In a decision statement, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cited 'islamophobia rhetoric' which risked inciting discord against Australia's Muslim population. The appeal to have the decision overturned came hours after the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) called on the Trump administration to intervene in what it called an 'attack' on Jewish Australians.
Sky News AU
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
US ambassador to Israel steps in after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke banned Jewish-American speaker Hillel Fuld from Australia
The US ambassador to Israel has stepped in after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke barred Israeli-American speaker Hillel Fuld from Australia, sparking an international diplomacy test for the Albanese government. The US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has confronted Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revoked the visa of Israeli-American speaker Hillel Fuld from Australia, sparking an international diplomacy test for the Albanese government. In a decision statement, Mr Burke cited 'islamophobia rhetoric' which risked inciting discord against Australia's Muslim population. The appeal to have the decision overturned came hours after the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) called on the Trump administration to intervene in what it called an 'attack' on Jewish Australians. Mr Fuld, who was set to speak at fundraising events in Sydney and Melbourne hosted by Magen David Adom, an Israeli national emergency service, confirmed he had been barred from Australia 'because of my tweets'. The Jewish American entrepreneur has more than 176,000 followers on X where he has posted extensively on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In an email sent directly to the Home Affairs Minister, and obtained by The Australian, Mr Huckabee called Mr Fuld a 'highly respected' US-Israeli who was not a 'threat of any kind' to the nation that barred him. 'Mr Fuld is highly respected member in his community and well known in Israel. While he holds strong views against terrorism and the kind of massacre that occurred on October 7, he would pose no threat to the people of Australia by his actions or words,' Mr Huckabee wrote. 'I fully respect the decision to grant the visa is solely in your hands and you have a sovereign right to make the decision to deny entry to someone you consider a threat to national security (but) I do not feel Mr Fuld poses any threat of any kind. 'I would respectfully request … you would be willing to review his visa application and grant the opportunity to make his brief visit for the sake of the very important charity event for the humanitarian emergency medical service organisation.' — Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) June 8, 2025 In the report on the decision, the Home Affairs Minister said Mr Fuld had used social media to deny 'documented atrocities' and had the potential to use the speaking events to make more 'inflammatory statements'. Mr Burke seemed to stand by his decision and said he did not want to import 'hatred'. In a statement to the outlet, the Home Affairs Minister said Australians 'have a strong view that we don't want hatred from overseas brought here'. 'This power has been used repeatedly over many years by ministers. It is currently being tested in the High Court in the Candace Owens matter. Last term, there was bipartisan support for the use of this power. If that is no longer the case, Mr Hastie should say so,' he said. It came after shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie put out a statement on Sunday morning calling for Mr Burke to explain the cancellation of Mr Fuld's visa. "If there is a new political precedent in the standard for issuing entry visas to Australia, the Australian people should be informed as soon as possible," Mr Hastie said. Mr Fuld wrote on X on Monday morning and said there was a 'very low chance' the Albanese government would reverse the decision. 'Despite my appeal and diplomatic efforts at the highest possible levels, I have not heard anything back from the Australian government about them banning me from their country for three years,' Mr Fuld wrote. In a separate post, Mr Fuld said with the coverage continuing to ramp up, it was less likely Mr Burke and the Australian government would reconsider the decision. 'They don't want to seem like they're giving in to the pressure,' Mr Fuld wrote. On Sunday, Mr Fuld joked about whether he should add 'persona non grata' to his list of labels. On Monday, he added "Banned from Australia" to his X bio.
