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SBS Australia
5 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
'Deplorable': Melbourne synagogue attacked on same night as protest at Israeli restaurant
Victoria Police is investigating after an arson attack at a synagogue that was carried out while worshippers were still inside. Police said a man entered the grounds of the inner-city synagogue in East Melbourne at about 8pm on Friday. He then poured a flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight before fleeing the scene. About 20 people were inside at the time, police said, and they were all evacuated without injury. The fire was contained to the front entrance. "There is absolutely no place in our society for antisemitic or hate-based behaviour," Victoria Police said in a statement. Two of the Adass Israel Synagogue's three buildings were destroyed in the early-morning blaze, which also forced members of the congregation to flee. No charges have been laid however counter-terrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. In a statement on Thursday night, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria said "enough is enough". "Jewish Victorians will not be intimidated," it said. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also condemned the attack, saying it was "disgraceful" and made "all the more abhorrent" by the fact it was carried out on Shabbat. And state Liberal MP David Southwick wrote on social media: "The perpetrators and organisers must be found and brought to justice". 'Offensive chants' during protest at Israeli-owned restaurant Police have also condemned a group of about 20 people who protested at the Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD that same night. The force said the group shouted "offensive chants" and were directed to leave the area. One person was arrested and released on summons for hindering police, and several others were spoken to by investigators. Victoria Police said it supports the right of Victorians to protest peacefully but would not tolerate "anti-social and violent behaviour" witnessed. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said the incidents marked "a return to the antisemitic terror of the summer months". "These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community and clear evidence that the antisemitism crisis is not only continuing, but getting worse," Ryvchin said in a statement. "We urge all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes."
National Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Michael Higgins: On Israel, Liberals keep making bad moral decisions
Article content 'We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023,' says the statement. Article content It adds, 'Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.' Article content But this statement isn't quite true, it doesn't quite reflect the reality. Article content Sure, the day after October 7, prime minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement denouncing the attacks and supporting Israel. Article content But within weeks, his tone, and that of Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, had changed. Once Israel had started to defend itself, Trudeau and Joly were empathizing with the Palestinians and were quick to point the finger of blame at Israel, even if it wasn't its fault. When the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was hit with a missile in late October 2023, Trudeau and Joly quickly suggested it was an Israeli bomb. It turned out to be a misfired rocket from within Gaza. Article content The Liberal government's lack of support for Israel has undoubtedly motivated pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel protests across Canada. It probably helped fuel the antisemites who targeted schools, daycare centres and businesses with firebombs and vandalism. Article content Carney's joint statement will compound that misery. Article content A statement on X by The Jewish Community Council of Montreal noted that the statement would be 'read, amplified and weaponized by those who seek to justify violence and hatred against Jews in Canada. When the Government of Canada speaks about this conflict, it is not only addressing events in the Middle East — it is shaping the climate for Jews in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and beyond.' Article content When Trudeau supported the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, Jewish groups were horrified. Article content The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) posted to X, 'We are ashamed that Canada would align itself with such a politicized decision.' Article content Now Carney continues the Liberal tradition of blaming Israel, while doing nothing. The joint Canada-U.K.-France statement hits all the usual talking points — the call for a ceasefire, the need for a long-term political solution, trying to find a path to a two-state solution, and so on. Article content But there's nothing concrete here. And that's part of the problem: no one wants to get involved. Article content Even the Middle East countries, some of them in the ceasefire talks, are wary of actually getting physically involved in this conflict or its aftermath. Article content In March, Arab leaders issued a declaration after the so-called Palestine Summit on how peace and security might be brought to the region. Article content But as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think-tank pointed out, despite the plan, Arab leaders were loath to put boots on the ground. Article content 'Some in Israel and the United States have called for Arab countries to deploy troops to Gaza and to take over governing during the transition period. The plan rejects both ideas,' said writer Amr Hamzawy in a commentary. Article content
