From the Liveblog of
Monday, December 9, 2024
Police hunting for 3 suspects in Melbourne synagogue arson, now designated as ‘terrorist attack’
Australian police say they are hunting for three people suspected of torching a synagogue in Melbourne over the weekend, which authorities have now designated as a terrorist act.
Police have “three suspects in that matter, who we are pursuing,” Victorian police chief commissioner Shane Patton tells a news conference, adding that the fire is now considered a “terrorist attack.”
Victoria state premier Jacinta Allen, who was heckled by some local Jewish community members following the attack, also announces that the “evil, antisemitic attack… has now been declared a terror attack.”
She says “additional resources” can now be diverted to the investigation given its designation as terror-related.
Premier Jacinta Allen alongside Victoria Police have declared last week's firebombing of a Ripponlea synagogue a terrorist event.
The investigation into the incident at the Adass Israel Synagogue has now been transferred to the joint-counterterrorist team and is being run in… pic.twitter.com/adEHkKxgYR
— 10 News First Melbourne (@10NewsFirstMelb) December 9, 2024
Mask-wearing assailants on Friday morning set ablaze the Orthodox Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, a southeast suburb of the Victorian capital home to a large Jewish community.
One congregant was reportedly burned in the attack. The inside of the building was gutted and holy books were destroyed. Community members were seen rescuing Torah scrolls from the building.
Following the attack, police had said the attack was targeted, but that its motive was still unclear.
However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to comment on the incident: “An attack on a synagogue is by definition an act of antisemitism.”
Melbourne police beefed up security at several Jewish institutions following the arson attack.
Meanwhile, photos from the Adass Israel synagogue since the attack show an outpouring of support from neigbors, with flowers and signs reading, “We support the Jewish community,” and “best wishes for the rebuild” affixed to a barrier erected around the burned building.
