JERUSALEM (VINnews) — An arsonist set fire to the door of a Melbourne synagogue and forced the congregation to flee on Friday night, according to a Ynet report. The incident is one of a spate of antisemitic crimes which have occurred recently in Australia. Just seven months ago, criminals destroyed a synagogue in the same Australian city with an accelerant-fueled blaze that left a worshipper injured.
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A man, identified in security cameras, doused the double front doors of the downtown East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and set it alight around 8 p.m., a police statement said on Saturday. Around 20 worshippers sharing a meal to mark the Shabbat evacuated through a rear door and no one was injured, police said. Fire fighters extinguished the blaze which was contained to the front entrance, police.
Danny Segal, president of the local Jewish community, appealed for public solidarity: “We are here to live in peace. All of us want to live together—we’ve turned a new page in Australia, a wonderful country—and what they’re doing is simply wrong and unfair. As Australians, we all need to stand up and stand together.”
The weekend saw another antisemitic incident. Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Melbourne restaurant of Israeli chef Eyal Shani to protest the war in Gaza and the involvement of Shahar Segal, CEO of the restaurant group, in the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Protesters shattered windows and chanted “Death to the IDF.” Police dispersed the crowd. One woman sustained minor injuries and another—28 years old—was arrested.
Anti-Defamation Commission head Dvir Abramovich, a prominent voice against antisemitism in Australia, said diners at the restaurant were “terrorized,” adding, “For one night, Melbourne stopped being a safe place for Jews.”
Melbourne Mayor Nicholas Reece condemned both incidents: “These are shocking criminal acts against a synagogue and an Israeli-owned business in Melbourne. As a community, we must all stand up against this.”
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan also denounced the attacks, calling them “deliberate attempts to intimidate and unsettle Jewish families.” She added, “Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate—and an attack on a Jewish house of worship is antisemitism.”
A wave of antisemitic attacks has hit Australia since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza.
Jewish and Muslim organizations and hate researchers have recorded drastic spikes in hate-fueled incidents on both groups. The Australian government last year appointed special envoys to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in the community.
Whenever the Government (whether local or national) condemns an attack on Jews, but also mentions “Islamophobia”, the intent is NOT to be helpful. It is actually proof that they are OK with attacks on Jews, but need to say something to fig leaf their hatred & hypocrisy. “Islamophobia” was invented by CAIR, a Moslem Brotherhood entity after the WTC attacks, that pretends that THEY are the victims. 1. Being afraid of Moslem Terrorists yelling “Allah Akhbar”, is not a Phobia! 2. With populations that are usually 10 times more than Jews, yet being victimized 20% as often as Jews (ratio of 50 to 1!), Islamophobia doesn’t exist. 3. With what’s happening all over the world post October 7th (from the Universities, to the NY mayor’s race, to the weekly demonstrations in London, Amsterdam, Sydney, Canada, etc. etc.), Hashem is sending us a message; TIME TO MOVE TO ERETZ YISROEL!
Those of us who can must step forward wherever we find incidents like this and lead others away from action like this that does not define Australia or the United States of America. To stand by does harm to all peace loving people. Stand up and be counted!
So where is some Yidden s might ?
We do know that Yidden have a voice .
However, the Australian s are so quiet , gentleman, polite people ( the Goyim as well as Yidden ): .So those Yidden are just un able to speak .