Melbourne synagogue fire ‘likely’ terror act, police say
Australian police say a fire at Melbourne’s Adas Israel synagogue is being treated as a possible terror attack.
Three suspects are being sought over an early morning blaze on Friday that left one man with minor burns to his hands and caused extensive damage.
Witnesses said they saw masked men sprinkle what appeared to be an accelerant inside the building and then set it on fire.
Victoria Police said they had no evidence further anti-Semitic attacks were planned but were stepping up patrols to reassure the community.
After meeting with the Australian Federal Police and domestic spy agency Asio, the state police force said based on additional “intelligence” they concluded the incident should be treated as a possible terror attack.
Commissioner Sean Barton said police had received no information before the fire that an arson attack was imminent.
He declined to provide any further details about the investigation while it continues.
Barton’s statement came a day after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as “clear terrorism” while acknowledging that police had not yet made a decision. He called his description a “personal opinion.”
On Monday, state Premier Jacinta Allen said the terrorist designation means police will now have extra resources to investigate.
Jewish community leaders said they viewed the attack as an escalation of recent documented increases in anti-Semitism in Australia and fueled fears of violence.
Some worshipers who were inside the building when the fire broke out described hearing banging noises and seeing windows broken before liquid was thrown inside and set on fire.
“The whole thing moved very quickly,” synagogue board member Benjamin Klein told The Times in an interview with Eyewitness.
After officers at the scene encountered angry and frightened worshipers on Friday, Patton said police were focused on ensuring their safety.
“We have … deployed additional police in areas where Jews live and congregate,” he said.
Allen also called on the city to unite in support of the Jewish community.
“We cannot allow this overseas conflict to continue to serve as a cover for this type of behavior.”
