Latest news with #synagogue
CNN
an hour ago
- Science
- CNN
Roman-era ‘church' in Spain may have been a synagogue
Archaeologists working at a site in Spain say they have uncovered evidence of what may have been a synagogue used by a hitherto unknown Jewish community. While excavating the site, previously believed to be a church dating from the 4th century, experts found materials and architectural evidence that led them to hypothesize that the building was, in fact, a synagogue, according to a study published earlier this month. Artifacts such as fragments of oil lamps and a piece of roof tile decorated with menorahs were found during excavations in Cástulo, a former Roman settlement in southern Spain, whereas no materials that have a clear association with the Christian faith have been found at the site. In contrast, archaeologists have found evidence of Christian worship at another site in the town, study author Bautista Ceprián, an archaeologist with the Cástulo Sefarad Primera Luz project, told CNN on Wednesday. The building also has a squarer shape than Christian churches, which tend to be more rectangular, and archaeologists found what could have been a hole for supporting a large menorah, as well as the foundations of a central raised platform, or bimah, which is common in synagogues but not in churches, he added. In addition, no tombs were discovered at the building, which was built near an abandoned Roman temple — something that would have been feared by Christian residents because of its association with paganism, he added. 'It's a hidden, discreet and isolated spot that would not have been visited often by the Christian majority,' Ceprián said. Taken together, this evidence points to the existence of a previously unknown Jewish community in the town, the study authors argue. 'The reinterpretation of the building from a church to possibly a synagogue followed a process of logical reasoning based on the historical and archaeological data in our possession,' Ceprián said. Nonetheless, the lack of written records of a Jewish community in Cástulo leaves room for some doubt, as the study authors acknowledged. Speculating about the daily life of the community would be 'a very dangerous exercise,' Ceprián said, but they would have lived alongside their fellow Roman citizens in the town. The population is then thought to have disappeared, as it is not named in the anti-Jewish law enacted by Visigoth King Sisebut, who ruled what is now Spain from 612 to 621, whereas the Jewish communities in other nearby towns are specifically named. As for what would have happened to them, 'it is difficult to know,' Ceprián said. One possible explanation is that the Christian clergy feared the local population would convert to Judaism, given the 'close and friendly relations' between the two groups in the region at the time, he said. This concern drove Christian leaders, who were becoming increasingly influential in the Roman Empire, to foment fear of and opposition to Jewish communities, said Ceprián. This culminated in episodes starting around the end of the 4th century in which Jewish citizens were pressured to convert to Christianity, with those who refused 'amicably invited' to leave their hometowns, he said, adding that this kind of incident could have plausibly occurred in Cástulo sometime between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 7th century. Now the team will work to protect the site and excavations will continue, Ceprián said. They aim to allow the public to visit at some point in the future, he added. 'We can't rule out the possibility of finding more definitive evidence that allows us to update our hypothesis of a possible synagogue to an actual synagogue,' he said. Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Arrest made in December 2024 Melbourne synagogue arson attack
One of the three men suspected of an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue last year was arrested, police said Wednesday. A 21-year-old Melbourne man, who was not identified, was arrested at a house on suspicion he had set the fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in December, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said. The predawn attack on Dec. 6, 2024, destroyed the synagogue and left a worshipper with minor burns. The arrest is a major breakthrough for investigators in the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team that is treating the attack as politically motivated. The team involves Victoria state and federal police, as well as Australia's main domestic spy agency. More than 220 law enforcement officers have devoted more than 50,000 hours to the investigation. "Today's arrest is a demonstration of our ongoing efforts to hold those involved to account," Steendam said in a statement announcing the arrest. "We now have charged two people as part of this investigation and I expect there will be more to come." Two weeks ago, a 20-year-old man was charged with stealing the car used in the synagogue attack. But that suspect has not been accused of being one of the masked men who used brooms to spread a liquid accelerant across the floor of the synagogue before igniting it. An arson conviction carries a potential maximum of 15 years in prison, while the other two offenses are each punishable by 10 years imprisonment. The suspect has yet to be charged. "I want to reassure Victorians, particularly those in the Jewish community, that we remain relentless in our pursuit in finding all those responsible for this crime and holding them to account," Steendam told reporters. Police suspect offshore criminals had worked with associates in Victoria to orchestrate the attack, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said. "The motivation is still being assessed," Barrett told reporters. "We are … working closely with our Five Eyes partners and international partners to ensure our collective powers and capabilities are drawn upon to help bring those responsible to justice," she added. Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing partnership that includes Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. Barrett declined to say who the offshore suspects were or identify the countries they were operating in. "This crime was despicable as it was dangerous, and it is important to acknowledge that this was not just an arson on a synagogue," she added in a statement. "The effect of this crime has rippled through a community that continues to be targeted by criminals. We will not stand for this." A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The synagogue attack is the only incident that has been classified as an act of terrorism, a designation that increases the resources available to the investigation. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke welcomed the arrest in connection with what he described as a "hate crime." Burke noted that his government had promised 30 million Australian dollars ($20 million) to rebuild the synagogue. "This arrest cannot undo the pain and fear that it (arson) caused, but it does send the strongest message that this kind of hate and violence has no place in Australia," Burke told Parliament. "This attack was not simply an attack on Jewish Australians; an attack on a synagogue is an attack on Australia and is treated as such," he added. Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the main advocate for the nation's Jewish community, hoped more arrests would be made and that the masterminds of the crime would be quickly brought to justice. "Only then will a deterrent be established against this sort of chilling behavior," Aghion said. Earlier this month, an arsonist set fire to the door of another synagogue in Melbourne, dousing the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and setting it alight. Around 20 worshippers sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat Jewish day of rest evacuated through a rear door, police said. No one was injured.
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
Adass Israel Synagogue arson: Melbourne man, 21, arrested in police probe over synagogue fire
A young man is expected to be charged with arson offences in connection with a fire attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, as police probe overseas links to the fire. Police swooped on the 21-year-old Werribee resident as part of co-ordinated raids across the city on Wednesday. In a joint statement between Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, investigators said it would be alleged the man was one of three individuals who set fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6 last year. According to the statement, officers from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) executed seven search warrants on Wednesday, seizing various items including electronic devices. CCTV released by police in May this year captured three individuals smash their way into the building, one holding a red jerry can, before the building was set alight. The 4.10am fire caused significant damage to the Ripponlea building and damaged sacred texts. The man was arrested over his alleged role in the arson that severely damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024. Picture: Supplied/ AFP/ Victoria Police. Police also released 53-seconds of footage of the Werribee man being led handcuffed from a exposed brick home to the back of a police car – seemingly before dawn. Addressing media on Wednesday, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said the 21-year-old would be interviewed in relation to three offences – arson, conduct endangering life, and theft of a motor vehicle. 'There is no doubt that this fire was a deliberate act that left people across Victoria and the Victorian community feeling shocked, saddened and rightfully concerned,' she said 'What I want to make clear today is that this investigation remains ongoing and we anticipate that there will be further arrests. 'Since the fire occurred at the synagogue in December last year it has been one of the highest priorities for Victoria Police and our partner agencies.' Deputy Commissioner Steendam said it was alleged the car used, a blue VW Golf, was a 'communal crime car, linked to a number of unrelated offences'. Members of the Jewish community were seen removing religious artefacts from the burnt remains of their Synagogue after the fire. Picture: NewsWire/David Caird The Deputy Commissioner said the JCTT was 'relentlessly pursuing' the remaining two individuals who allegedly lit the blaze at the synagogue. 'We expect to have further information and action in the near future.' The man arrested on Wednesday was already known to police, she said. AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said 'the gravity' of the crime had 'not been lessened by time'. 'It's important to acknowledge that this was not just an arson on a synagogue, the damage to the building and religious materials were obvious but the effect of this crime rippled through the community which continues to be targeted by bigots and criminals,' she said. 'We will not let this go unpunished in Australia and that's why we have responded with meticulous energy and relentless determination.' Members of the Adass Israel community gathered outside the synagogue on Friday December 6. Picture: NewsWire/ Andrew Henshaw Deputy Commissioner Barrett said investigators were continuing to probe the incident as a suspected 'politically motivated crime' and said more than 220 officers had spent more than 50,000 hours on the case in the past seven months. She told media she was 'not going to name countries' but police were looking into offshore criminal connections. 'Our investigation is not limited to Australia; it involves exploring criminals offshore and we suspect these criminals worked with criminal associates in Victoria to carry out the arson attack,' Deputy Commissioner Barrett said. 'The motivation is still being assessed and we will make further comments at an appropriate time.' She said overseas crime boss Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad, who is allegedly behind Melbourne's tobacco war despite being deported to Iraq, had been investigated in connection with the attacks. 'That is a name that has come up in our investigation and that remains one of our ongoing lines of inquiry,' she said. Deputy Commissioner Steendam said there was 'nothing I have' to suggest links between the synagogue fire and the illicit tobacco trade, the Sydney Dural caravan incident or a fire at an East Melbourne synagogue on July 4. Deputy Commissioner Barrett told media an AFP member was attacked by a dog during the arrest of the Werribee man at a Weirs View property, and has been hospitalised. Ms Barrett said a gun was used to stop the attack, with the dog later euthanased at a veterinary clinic. She said that the officer is 'going to be okay'. Tributes at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Picture: NewsWire /David Geraghty The man is the second person arrested over the arson, with a Williamstown man, 20, charged on July 17 over his alleged role in the theft of a blue VW Golf linked to the fire. Police say further arrests and charges are expected soon. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the arrest brings 'some long-awaited comfort and reassurance' to the Jewish community. 'It is ominous that police are continuing to treat the despicable firebombing of the Adass synagogue as politically motivated,' he said. 'We thank the police for their painstaking efforts to date and hope that further arrests will be made in the near future so that all the offenders including the masterminds are swiftly brought to justice. 'Only then will a deterrent be established against this sort of chilling behaviour.' Police have renewed calls for anyone with information about the fire or the blue VW Golf to contact Crime Stoppers. Read related topics: Israel
SBS Australia
3 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Police arrest man over Melbourne synagogue firebombing; say overseas links being investigated
Police say overseas and local criminals are suspected of working together in the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne last year. They arrested one of three men they allege carried out the arson attack. A 21-year-old Werribee man was arrested in Melbourne's west during one of multiple search warrants carried out around the city on Wednesday. The man is yet to be charged. Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in the city's south-east were destroyed in December 2024 , with the fire attack forcing two congregants inside preparing for morning prayers to flee the building. Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters she expected more people to be arrested in the future. AFP deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett (left) said there could be more arrests in the future. Source: AAP / Rachael Ward She said the complex investigation included exploring the involvement of offshore criminals, who are suspected of working with associates in Victoria. "The motivation is still being assessed and we will make further comments at an appropriate time about that," Barrett said. An AFP officer involved with the 21-year-old's arrest is in hospital after being bitten by an unrestrained dog, which has since been euthanised. Members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, as well as other international partners, have been involved in the investigation. Victoria Police deputy commissioner Wendy Steendam said there was no evidence to suggest any links between the Adass Israel synagogue fire and a long-running criminal war over illegal tobacco in Melbourne or a separate fire at an east Melbourne synagogue. "I want to reassure Victorians, particularly those in the Jewish community, that we remain relentless in our pursuit in finding all those responsible for this crime and holding them to account," she said. Police executed seven search warrants across Melbourne on Wednesday, seizing various items, including electronic devices, which will be forensically examined. In July, a 20-year-old man was arrested and charged over his alleged role in stealing a car linked to the Ripponlea synagogue fire. There had been mounting pressure for police to make further arrests, with CCTV footage released by counter-terror police showing three people in hoodies getting out of a car before police claim they damaged the synagogue's entrance. Investigators have urged anyone with further information about the car to come forward immediately. Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, thanked police for their efforts and hoped further arrests would be made. "Only then will a deterrent be established against this sort of chilling behaviour."
The Australian
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Australian
Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing charge laid against 20yo man
A man has been charged for his alleged role in the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne's east. The 20-year-old was arrested on Wednesday in Williamstown and charged with stealing a blue VW Golf that was used in the attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue. The operation was undertaken by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), which includes officers from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, and ASIO. The taskforce previously said the attack was likely politically motivated. The man allegedly stole the 'communal crime car' used in the firebombing. Picture: NewsWire Handout/ Vic Police That is still the position of the JCTT and the investigation is still into alleged terrorism. The man was not charged for the actual arson attack, and no one has been charged for that offence yet. The investigation is ongoing into the Adass Israel Synagogue fire, which police said was a significant priority for them with 'significant resources across all agencies' being used. Following the arrest of the 20-year-old man, police seized items at a Melton South home that will be further investigated. The 20-year-old was arrested in Williamstown. Picture: NewsWire Handout/ Vic Police The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, October 3, 2025. Police allege the man stole the car in Melton on November 29, 2024, after which it was used in a series of arson attacks, including at the Lux Nightclub in South Yarra and an arson and shooting attack in Bundoora. Police previously alleged that it was a 'communal crime car'. Victoria Police do not consider the Lux and Bundoora fires to be politically motivated. The synagogue attack shattered the local community who started a crowd-funding campaign to help rebuild it. The government has committed $30m to the restoration of the Ripponlea building and funded increased security upgrades. Read related topics: Israel Brendan Kearns Cadet Journalist Brendan Kearns is a cadet journalist with News Corp Australia. He has written for The Australian, the Herald Sun, the Geelong Advertiser, CHOICE, Cosmos, and The Citizen. He won Democracy's Watchdogs' Student Award for Investigative Journalism 2024 and hosted the third season of award-winning podcast Uncurated. He studied as Master of Journalism at The University of Melbourne, before that he worked as a video producer and disability worker. @brendandkearns Brendan Kearns
