AUSTRALIA – Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan cut a press conference short after being confronted by a prominent Jewish community leader over the state’s handling of antisemitism and public safety. This followed a devastating firebomb attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne, during the early hours of Friday morning.
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The blaze, which caused significant damage to the historic synagogue, is being investigated as suspicious but not as a terrorist attack. Emergency services were alerted around 4:10 am, and 65 firefighters battled the flames for over an hour.
The synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors, stands as a symbol of resilience for the local Jewish community. Its destruction has sparked outrage and calls for stronger measures against rising antisemitism.
At the scene, Premier Allan condemned the attack as a “hateful, violent act” and pledged $100,000 to support the synagogue’s rebuilding. She also announced increased police patrols to safeguard Jewish communities.
“This is an act of antisemitism, an attack on a peaceful place of worship,” she stated.
However, tensions escalated when Menachem Vorchheimer, a prominent Jewish activist, pressed the Premier during the press conference. He questioned whether the government had lost control of public safety, particularly for minority communities.
“You say you’re increasing police patrols—doesn’t that prove the government has failed to protect the Jewish community?” Vorchheimer asked. He also criticized the government’s past decisions, asserting that stronger actions against antisemitic threats could have prevented the attack.
Visibly shaken, Allan defended her government, stating that Victoria Police have the necessary tools to address violent acts and that her administration takes advice directly from law enforcement officials.
The heated exchange prompted Allan to abruptly end the press conference, departing amid chants of “Shame on you, Jacinta” from community members.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the attack, calling it an affront to Australian values. Speaking from Perth, he pledged federal support for the investigation and reiterated the government’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
“This shocking crime is an attack on a community’s heart and soul. Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” Albanese declared.
The incident highlights growing concerns over antisemitic sentiment and the need for stronger protections for places of worship and minority communities in Victoria.
Being confrontational and rude to a friendly politician should do the trick.
THAT is how it’s done.
Of course speaking so forcefully, even talking over the other person, is not always appropriate or helpful, in every situation.
But too many Jewish people use this as an excuse for their own passivity & aversion to confrontation. With antisemitic attacks happening all around the world, NOW is the time for us not be diplomatic, but to politely yet aggressively show anger & outrage, and DEMAND that these govts of various self-righteous liberal democracies protect OUR rights & our lives—just as they would anyone else’s.
The bottom line in all these situations: whatever the authorities’ excuses, whatever the ‘complexities’ involved… if this had happened to a black person, or someone else with most-favored-minority status, the cops & the Secret Service would be all over it, the perpetrator would be quickly apprehended, and would be ‘lynched’ in the media & public opinion.
And then they would likely get the actual sentence they deserve.
Premier Allen is a supporter of Jews and Israel. Its the pro-Hamas Prime Minister who is the real problem. He keeps threatening and condemning Israel. He encourages the terrorists!
Why is everyone making swatting motions? Are there a lot of mosquitoes there?