Australian PM Responds Strongly to Arson Attack on Melbourne Synagogue

Sat Nov 15 2025 04:14:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Prime Minister Albanese pledges decisive action against rising antisemitism following a troubling arson incident targeting a Jewish place of worship.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne and vowed to apply the full force of the law to those responsible. The incident has raised concerns over escalating antisemitic violence linked to Middle Eastern tensions.

In a recent escalation of hate-related violence, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, has promised to take decisive action following an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne. The attack occurred on a Friday night when a man poured liquid on the synagogue's front door and set it ablaze, forcing approximately 20 individuals who were dining inside to evacuate unharmed.

Authorities are investigating a possible connection between this incident and an earlier attack on the Miznon restaurant in Melbourne, which is owned by a Jewish family. Witnesses reported that rioters broke into the restaurant that same evening, throwing objects and chanting hostile slogans against the Israeli military.

The increase in antisemitic attacks in Australia has been attributed to heightened tensions arising from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to the alarming rise in such incidents, the Australian government has designated a special envoy to address antisemitism and has enacted stricter laws targeting hate crimes. "Antisemitism has no place in Australia," Albanese emphasized following the synagogue attack, reaffirming the government's commitment to provide support in prosecuting those responsible for these hate crimes.

Key figures within the Jewish community, like Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, have expressed deep concern over the cycle of violence, stressing that recent events represent a significant threat to safety for their community. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has also urged the Australian government to intensify its efforts against growing hostility.

The turbulent political climate in Australia surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict has further strained community relations, leading to protests from both Jewish and Muslim groups, as well as a disturbing rise in incidents of Islamophobia and antisemitism. With recent violence inflaming existing tensions, the Australian government faces immense pressure to safeguard all citizens against acts of hate and violence rooted in prejudice.