Latest news with #EastMelbourneHebrewCongregation
The Advertiser
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Get the facts': premier warned over anti-protest laws
Jacinta Allan has been warned against following the lead of a fellow state premier in rushing through law changes to curb anti-Semitism without all the facts on high-profile attacks. The Victorian government has been drafting laws to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings. The proposed changes were announced in December after rallies from masked neo-Nazis and a synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne being firebombed. Another arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, one of four alleged anti-Semitic incidents at the weekend, has prompted the premier to set up a task force and promise further action if required. Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sarah Schwartz stressed everyone has the right to worship in safety and without fear. But she accused Ms Allan of conflating acts of violence with peaceful protest. "Neither the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue or the arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were in any way protests," she told AAP. "These laws around places of worship would not have done anything to prevent those attacks." The motivation for both incidents remains unknown, though counter-terrorism police continue to investigate the Ripponlea firebombing and a 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the other alleged arson. Ms Schwartz cited sexual abuse survivors outside churches as a legitimate form of protest that may be impinged under the plan and said mask ban exemptions for health, disability and religious reasons would be "impossible" to enforce without discriminatory policing. "These new laws taken altogether will have a chilling effect on peaceful protest," she said. NSW rushed protest and speech laws through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January. Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job". Ms Schwartz, who doubles as Jewish Council of Australia executive officer, said the Victorian government was similarly resorting to "knee-jerk measures" instead of addressing the root causes of racist attacks. "Jacinta Allan really risks going down the same path that NSW Premier Chris Minns did when he enacted regressive, anti-protest measures in response to what we know now was an opportunistic criminal conspiracy," she said. Other Jewish groups have suggested the task force should consider Victoria adopting a NSW-style protest permit system, an idea Ms Allan has long dismissed. In a separate incident on Friday night, Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD was targeted by about 20 pro-Palestine protesters who chanted "death to the IDF" - a reference to the Israel Defence Forces. The chant, which has gained notoriety after English punk rap duo Bob Vylan led it at Glastonbury music festival, was repeated at another Melbourne rally on Sunday. Victoria passed beefed-up anti-vilification laws in March but Ms Allan was unsure if the chant or signs with words to that effect would constitute an offence when the changes take effect in September. "I'll take their (Victoria Police's) advice on that matter," she said. Jacinta Allan has been warned against following the lead of a fellow state premier in rushing through law changes to curb anti-Semitism without all the facts on high-profile attacks. The Victorian government has been drafting laws to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings. The proposed changes were announced in December after rallies from masked neo-Nazis and a synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne being firebombed. Another arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, one of four alleged anti-Semitic incidents at the weekend, has prompted the premier to set up a task force and promise further action if required. Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sarah Schwartz stressed everyone has the right to worship in safety and without fear. But she accused Ms Allan of conflating acts of violence with peaceful protest. "Neither the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue or the arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were in any way protests," she told AAP. "These laws around places of worship would not have done anything to prevent those attacks." The motivation for both incidents remains unknown, though counter-terrorism police continue to investigate the Ripponlea firebombing and a 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the other alleged arson. Ms Schwartz cited sexual abuse survivors outside churches as a legitimate form of protest that may be impinged under the plan and said mask ban exemptions for health, disability and religious reasons would be "impossible" to enforce without discriminatory policing. "These new laws taken altogether will have a chilling effect on peaceful protest," she said. NSW rushed protest and speech laws through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January. Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job". Ms Schwartz, who doubles as Jewish Council of Australia executive officer, said the Victorian government was similarly resorting to "knee-jerk measures" instead of addressing the root causes of racist attacks. "Jacinta Allan really risks going down the same path that NSW Premier Chris Minns did when he enacted regressive, anti-protest measures in response to what we know now was an opportunistic criminal conspiracy," she said. Other Jewish groups have suggested the task force should consider Victoria adopting a NSW-style protest permit system, an idea Ms Allan has long dismissed. In a separate incident on Friday night, Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD was targeted by about 20 pro-Palestine protesters who chanted "death to the IDF" - a reference to the Israel Defence Forces. The chant, which has gained notoriety after English punk rap duo Bob Vylan led it at Glastonbury music festival, was repeated at another Melbourne rally on Sunday. Victoria passed beefed-up anti-vilification laws in March but Ms Allan was unsure if the chant or signs with words to that effect would constitute an offence when the changes take effect in September. "I'll take their (Victoria Police's) advice on that matter," she said. Jacinta Allan has been warned against following the lead of a fellow state premier in rushing through law changes to curb anti-Semitism without all the facts on high-profile attacks. The Victorian government has been drafting laws to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings. The proposed changes were announced in December after rallies from masked neo-Nazis and a synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne being firebombed. Another arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, one of four alleged anti-Semitic incidents at the weekend, has prompted the premier to set up a task force and promise further action if required. Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sarah Schwartz stressed everyone has the right to worship in safety and without fear. But she accused Ms Allan of conflating acts of violence with peaceful protest. "Neither the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue or the arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were in any way protests," she told AAP. "These laws around places of worship would not have done anything to prevent those attacks." The motivation for both incidents remains unknown, though counter-terrorism police continue to investigate the Ripponlea firebombing and a 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the other alleged arson. Ms Schwartz cited sexual abuse survivors outside churches as a legitimate form of protest that may be impinged under the plan and said mask ban exemptions for health, disability and religious reasons would be "impossible" to enforce without discriminatory policing. "These new laws taken altogether will have a chilling effect on peaceful protest," she said. NSW rushed protest and speech laws through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January. Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job". Ms Schwartz, who doubles as Jewish Council of Australia executive officer, said the Victorian government was similarly resorting to "knee-jerk measures" instead of addressing the root causes of racist attacks. "Jacinta Allan really risks going down the same path that NSW Premier Chris Minns did when he enacted regressive, anti-protest measures in response to what we know now was an opportunistic criminal conspiracy," she said. Other Jewish groups have suggested the task force should consider Victoria adopting a NSW-style protest permit system, an idea Ms Allan has long dismissed. In a separate incident on Friday night, Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD was targeted by about 20 pro-Palestine protesters who chanted "death to the IDF" - a reference to the Israel Defence Forces. The chant, which has gained notoriety after English punk rap duo Bob Vylan led it at Glastonbury music festival, was repeated at another Melbourne rally on Sunday. Victoria passed beefed-up anti-vilification laws in March but Ms Allan was unsure if the chant or signs with words to that effect would constitute an offence when the changes take effect in September. "I'll take their (Victoria Police's) advice on that matter," she said. Jacinta Allan has been warned against following the lead of a fellow state premier in rushing through law changes to curb anti-Semitism without all the facts on high-profile attacks. The Victorian government has been drafting laws to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings. The proposed changes were announced in December after rallies from masked neo-Nazis and a synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne being firebombed. Another arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, one of four alleged anti-Semitic incidents at the weekend, has prompted the premier to set up a task force and promise further action if required. Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sarah Schwartz stressed everyone has the right to worship in safety and without fear. But she accused Ms Allan of conflating acts of violence with peaceful protest. "Neither the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue or the arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were in any way protests," she told AAP. "These laws around places of worship would not have done anything to prevent those attacks." The motivation for both incidents remains unknown, though counter-terrorism police continue to investigate the Ripponlea firebombing and a 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the other alleged arson. Ms Schwartz cited sexual abuse survivors outside churches as a legitimate form of protest that may be impinged under the plan and said mask ban exemptions for health, disability and religious reasons would be "impossible" to enforce without discriminatory policing. "These new laws taken altogether will have a chilling effect on peaceful protest," she said. NSW rushed protest and speech laws through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January. Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job". Ms Schwartz, who doubles as Jewish Council of Australia executive officer, said the Victorian government was similarly resorting to "knee-jerk measures" instead of addressing the root causes of racist attacks. "Jacinta Allan really risks going down the same path that NSW Premier Chris Minns did when he enacted regressive, anti-protest measures in response to what we know now was an opportunistic criminal conspiracy," she said. Other Jewish groups have suggested the task force should consider Victoria adopting a NSW-style protest permit system, an idea Ms Allan has long dismissed. In a separate incident on Friday night, Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD was targeted by about 20 pro-Palestine protesters who chanted "death to the IDF" - a reference to the Israel Defence Forces. The chant, which has gained notoriety after English punk rap duo Bob Vylan led it at Glastonbury music festival, was repeated at another Melbourne rally on Sunday. Victoria passed beefed-up anti-vilification laws in March but Ms Allan was unsure if the chant or signs with words to that effect would constitute an offence when the changes take effect in September. "I'll take their (Victoria Police's) advice on that matter," she said.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
'Get the facts': premier warned over anti-protest laws
Jacinta Allan has been warned against following the lead of a fellow state premier in rushing through law changes to curb anti-Semitism without all the facts on high-profile attacks. The Victorian government has been drafting laws to ban protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings. The proposed changes were announced in December after rallies from masked neo-Nazis and a synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne being firebombed. Another arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, one of four alleged anti-Semitic incidents at the weekend, has prompted the premier to set up a task force and promise further action if required. Human Rights Law Centre legal director Sarah Schwartz stressed everyone has the right to worship in safety and without fear. But she accused Ms Allan of conflating acts of violence with peaceful protest. "Neither the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue or the arson attack on East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were in any way protests," she told AAP. "These laws around places of worship would not have done anything to prevent those attacks." The motivation for both incidents remains unknown, though counter-terrorism police continue to investigate the Ripponlea firebombing and a 34-year-old man from Sydney has been charged over the other alleged arson. Ms Schwartz cited sexual abuse survivors outside churches as a legitimate form of protest that may be impinged under the plan and said mask ban exemptions for health, disability and religious reasons would be "impossible" to enforce without discriminatory policing. "These new laws taken altogether will have a chilling effect on peaceful protest," she said. NSW rushed protest and speech laws through parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside a caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest in January. Investigators later revealed the discovery was part of a "criminal con job". Ms Schwartz, who doubles as Jewish Council of Australia executive officer, said the Victorian government was similarly resorting to "knee-jerk measures" instead of addressing the root causes of racist attacks. "Jacinta Allan really risks going down the same path that NSW Premier Chris Minns did when he enacted regressive, anti-protest measures in response to what we know now was an opportunistic criminal conspiracy," she said. Other Jewish groups have suggested the task force should consider Victoria adopting a NSW-style protest permit system, an idea Ms Allan has long dismissed. In a separate incident on Friday night, Israeli restaurant Miznon in the Melbourne CBD was targeted by about 20 pro-Palestine protesters who chanted "death to the IDF" - a reference to the Israel Defence Forces. The chant, which has gained notoriety after English punk rap duo Bob Vylan led it at Glastonbury music festival, was repeated at another Melbourne rally on Sunday. Victoria passed beefed-up anti-vilification laws in March but Ms Allan was unsure if the chant or signs with words to that effect would constitute an offence when the changes take effect in September. "I'll take their (Victoria Police's) advice on that matter," she said.
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Sussan Ley urges Anthony Albanese to act on ‘rising tide' of anti-Semitism after Melbourne synagogue attack
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has called for Anthony Albanese to adopt an action plan put forward by the country's peak Jewish body to combat the 'rising tide of anti-Semitism' in Australia after a spate of attacks in Melbourne. Mr Ley visited the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, which was targeted in an arson attack on Friday night. She said 'hate can never be normalised' in Australia and urged the Federal Government to adopt the Executive Council of Australia Jewry's previously laid out 15-point plan. Speaking to reporters outside the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, she described it as a 'very sound sensible plan'. 'Under my leadership, we recommit to supporting this community wholeheartedly and the 15-point plan that ECAJ has put together from a summit several months ago,' she said. 'We want to see measures that work and I am reluctant to suggest that this won't work. What I hear from the community is there have been many task forces, there have been many talkfests, many conversations and many words. What they are really calling for is action. 'What is so clear is that hate can never be normalised. It can never be excused. It can never be explained away,' Ms Ley said. 'It is not the tolerant multicultural country that we hold dear. Enough is enough. 'Today's visit is about solidarity, it is about important next steps that we need to take.' It comes as several Opposition Leaders wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to hold a dedicated National Cabinet against anti-Semitism. However, Mr Albanese insisted his Government was focused on action when asked about the call in Tasmania on Tuesday. 'Every time an issue comes up, people say, 'Let's have a National Cabinet',' he told reporters. 'Let's be clear. People don't want a meeting. They want action. Action is what they want.' Mr Albanese said the attacks 'deserve condemnation' and labelled anti-Semitism as a 'scourge' that 'has no place in Australia'. He said the Government had already responded substantially with increasing security for synagogues, Jewish schools and community organisations. 'We have a task force. What we do is take on security issues. We take advice from security agencies. That's precisely what we have done,' he said. 'One of the reasons why this gentleman has been caught so quickly is because the CCTV that was in place there was as a direct result of Commonwealth government funding. In addition to that, the reinforcement of the door of the synagogue was done with that Commonwealth security funding. 'We will respond to any request constructively.'
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Fresh vow to stop anti-Semitism with new taskforce
A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as a premier vows to stamp out hatred towards Jews. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. The congregation had been singing traditional songs as they sat down for dinner after a regular service, when all of a sudden, chaos broke out. "My 13-year-old son comes running in and says, 'something's not right, the doorbell has been ringing'," Rabbi Dovid Gutnick told ABC radio. That's when they saw smoke and flames coming from under the door. Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". "Just as the fire came to the front door here of this shule, that it was stopped, so too must we put a stop to the hate, put a stop to anti-Semitism," she told reporters outside. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, but Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. A group called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance took responsibility for the incident. "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," a statement on the group's Instagram read. Rabbi Gutnick said his community was reeling from the incident, and that people can carry empathy for one group without descending into hate. "There is a boundary, and people have gone beyond the pale in the things that they've said and now in the things that are being done," he said. "Words don't end at words. They lead to actions." Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will this week examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers," the premier said. Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Victoria's opposition leader Brad Battin said the state needed to crack down on hate speech at protests by reinstating "move on" laws. Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for an urgent national cabinet meeting to deal with the issue.
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Anti-hate taskforce set up after anti-Semitic attacks
A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as the hunt continues for those behind a spate of attacks that have shaken Australia's Jewish community. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, however, Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will for the first time this week to examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "Hate doesn't belong in Victoria," Ms Allan said. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers - and we won't rest until every Victorian feels safe to be who they are." Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as the hunt continues for those behind a spate of attacks that have shaken Australia's Jewish community. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, however, Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will for the first time this week to examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "Hate doesn't belong in Victoria," Ms Allan said. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers - and we won't rest until every Victorian feels safe to be who they are." Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as the hunt continues for those behind a spate of attacks that have shaken Australia's Jewish community. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, however, Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will for the first time this week to examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "Hate doesn't belong in Victoria," Ms Allan said. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers - and we won't rest until every Victorian feels safe to be who they are." Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media. A new anti-hate taskforce charged with tackling the "bigger picture" of anti-Semitism will meet within days, as the hunt continues for those behind a spate of attacks that have shaken Australia's Jewish community. At least four violent incidents in Melbourne are being treated as anti-Semitic attacks, including the firebombing of a synagogue on Friday night. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man from Sydney's west, faced court on Sunday, accused of setting the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation's front doors alight while 20 people were inside. Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by masked pro-Palestinian protesters shortly afterwards, with a window smashed, tables flipped and chairs thrown as the group chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)". Hours later, a group spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" and set them alight outside at a Greensborough business in the city's northeast. CCTV footage released by police shows figures in black hooded jumpers lighting the fires, with detectives looking for five people who were last seen fleeing on e-bikes. A fourth incident involved stencils used to spray paint offensive images on pillars and walls near a holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The incidents have not been declared terrorist attacks, however, Victoria Police is working with counter terrorism officers to see if there are any links between the events. A 28-year-old from Footscray was the only arrest made for allegedly hindering police at Miznon, but has since been released. Police are still working on identifying other protesters involved. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday, after revealing details of the anti-hate taskforce intended to "look at the bigger picture across our city and state". Victoria Police, the state government and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nicholas Reece will for the first time this week to examine police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protests. "Hate doesn't belong in Victoria," Ms Allan said. "We back our police, we're giving them more powers - and we won't rest until every Victorian feels safe to be who they are." Ms Allan promised bans on protests outside places of worship and demonstrators wearing face coverings after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south in December. However, the legislation is yet to be introduced to state parliament. The attacks drew an international response, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding action against the "rioters". Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus visited the East Melbourne synagogue on Sunday and described the firebombing as an "attack on Australia". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible for the "shocking acts" must face the full force of the law, as the US Embassy in Australia praised the "swift response". Federal opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has called for the prime minister to convene an urgent meeting of national cabinet to deal with the issue. But Victoria's opposition police spokesman David Southwick, who is Jewish, said there was no need for another "talkfest". "The time for talk is over. We need action," the Caulfield MP said. Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who presented a documentary on anti-Semitism in Australia following Hamas' October 7 terror attacks, called the wave of Melbourne incidents a "hate crime". "Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all and until it's called out for what it really is, it will continue," he wrote on social media.
