A large fire broke out Thursday at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, with police investigating it as a potential antisemitic attack. Benjamin Klein, a member of the synagogue's board, told ABC that an "enormous amount" of sacred books, Torah scrolls, and furniture were destroyed.
The fire, which caused significant damage to two synagogue buildings, left Adass Israel congregants in shock, with some arriving for morning prayers to find their synagogue severely damaged by the blaze.
Firefighters arrived at the scene around 4 AM and battled the flames for nearly an hour before gaining control. According to witnesses, two individuals smashed the synagogue's window, poured gasoline, and threw Molotov cocktails that ignited the building. Worshippers present at the time were forced to flee through the back exit, with one person suffering burns to their hands.
More than 60 firefighters have fought a blaze ignited after a suspected arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue early on Friday morning. Latest: https://t.co/eWT9sXsSwJ pic.twitter.com/DpWVr7QWHN
— The Australian (@australian) December 5, 2024
Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote Friday morning on his X account: "I call on Australian leadership and leaders worldwide to strongly condemn this despicable act of terror and fight against the intolerable rise in anti-Jewish racism globally." The president also expressed his admiration for the community's strength, unity, and resilience in the face of the attack and wave of antisemitism.
Seventeen firefighting teams worked to extinguish the blaze. The synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors, serves as a vital center for the local Jewish community. "This is the crown jewel of the Jewish community," said Benjamin Klein, a synagogue board member. He added that the community is in shock. "We've been on high alert in recent months, with security patrols and cameras, but seeing something like this happen is shocking."
"This synagogue is the busiest in Australia, so it's a very, very active synagogue. We're open 20 to 22 hours a day," Klein said. "For this to happen to a synagogue thousands of miles from anywhere else in the world, in a peaceful neighborhood, peaceful community, it's quite terrible."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the arson, calling it a deliberate and illegal attack that contradicts all the country's values. "I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. The violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage," Albanese said. "This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community."
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 5, 2024
Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, condemned the attack: "No one should be surprised. This violent attack is a direct result of words turning into actions. Unchecked hatred of Jews endangers all Australians." Klein also noted this wasn't the first time the synagogue had been targeted. In 1995, it was damaged in a deliberate fire.
Yossi Friedman told foreign media that he was inside the synagogue with another person around 4:10 AM when they suddenly heard a loud bang and breaking glass. "I saw glass flying, so I just jumped from my chair, ran from the synagogue through the hall to the back path," Friedman recounted. He asked a staff member at a store to call the police and then returned to the synagogue, only to find the building engulfed in flames. "I thought maybe I could open the doors and get inside, but when I touched the door my hand got burned," he said, "so I decided it was too dangerous and left."
I am appalled by the abhorrent arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
Antisemitism must be relentlessly confronted. I urge Australian authorities to act swiftly and ensure the despicable perpetrators are brought to justice.
Israel stands in solidarity with the…— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) December 6, 2024
World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel addressed the antisemitic attack against the Jewish synagogue in Melbourne, Australia: "Jewish blood is not worthless! The attack against the synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, is another reminder of the antisemitic wave that has been raising its head worldwide with greater intensity since October 7."
