Australia's Jewish community is grappling with anxiety following two violent incidents in Melbourne late Friday night, reigniting fears after a series of attacks on Jewish institutions in the country. The Victoria Police are currently investigating both events that occurred around 8 p.m., approximately a mile apart.
The first incident involved a man who doused the front entrance of a synagogue in East Melbourne with a flammable liquid before igniting it and fleeing the scene. Fortunately, around 20 individuals present inside were able to escape unharmed via a rear exit. Firefighters quickly arrived, managing to extinguish the flames that engulfed the entrance. As of now, no arrests have been made, and an arson investigator is looking into the circumstances surrounding the act.
Simultaneously, another group of about 20 protesters gathered near the city center and directed loud and offensive chants at diners at an Israeli restaurant. In the commotion, one protester was arrested for "hindering police." Although police have not disclosed specific details about the chants, reports indicated that tables were overturned, and some objects were thrown, resulting in a broken window at the restaurant. The arrested individual, a 28-year-old man, was subsequently released with a summons.
Jacinta Allan, the premier of Victoria, expressed grave concern over the motivations behind the incidents, signals that highlight the increasing tension and targeted hostility faced by the Jewish community in the region.
