Horror anti-Semitic attacks plague Melbourne: Jacinta Allan, Nick Reece, Josh Frydenberg speak out
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg has condemned the anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne on Friday night, demanding the violence be “called out for what it really is”.
Victoria
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Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne on Friday night, but is yet to visit the impacted synagogue herself.
An Israeli restaurant was attacked and an East Melbourne synagogue targeted by an arsonist on Friday night following a chaotic protest through the CBD.
Police minister Anthony Carbines on Saturday morning said police would dedicate every resource to catch the offenders and slammed the attack on the restaurant and attempted arson attack on the synagogue.
“Anti-Semitism has no place here in Victoria and we stand with the Jewish community against hate fear and violence that we have seen overnight,” he said.
“Intimidation and fear, we will not stand for it here in Victoria.”
Mr Carbines said he had spoken with the Federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and the “full resources” of ASIO and the Australian Federal Police will be available to assist with the investigation into both the restaurant brawl and the arson at the Synagogue.
Victoria Police said counterterrorism command was was also involved in the investigation.
Mr Carbines said the arson at the East Melbourne Synagogue was particularly troubling.
“Those that think they can set fire to a place of worship overnight that is full of worshippers, that is a heinous act, a horrific act, a criminal act — people will be held to account for it,” he said.
Mr Carbines said $1 million has been provided for security upgrades for around 15 community organisations within Victoria’s Jewish community.
“Those grants continue to be made available. We’re also providing other supports,” he said.
He said he had spoken with the premier on Saturday morning and that she was hoping to visit the synagogue.
“The Premier, I spoke to this morning, (is) also available to hopefully visit at the synagogue and be engaged with the community (to) show our support on the ground.
“Those opportunities will be pursued to show our support to the local community across the weekend.”
Mr Carbines said Operation Park, which is targeting anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, had made 138 arrests between October 2023 and April this year.
Meanwhile, Ms Allan early Saturday morning released a statement slamming the acts as “disgraceful acts by a pack of cowards”.
She is yet to visit the impacted sites.
It is understood Ms Allan has reached out to Victoria’s Jewish community to offer whatever support is required.
“Every Victorian deserves to live in peace and dignity, but the acts we saw last night at the East Melbourne Synagogue — and elsewhere in the city — are designed to shatter that peace and traumatise Jewish families,” Ms Allan said.
“Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate, and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of anti-Semitism.”
“There should be no hesitation in calling this what it is. It is disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards.
“That it happened on Shabbat makes it all the more abhorrent.”
Ms Allan said she stood with the Jewish community “in the fight against hate and fear”.
“The Victorian people stand with you, too,” she continued.
“To the congregation, including the women and children who were inside last night when the fire was lit: we are here to support your Shule and to help you recover.
“Hate and violence don’t belong in Victoria. That’s why we back our police, that’s why we’re giving them more powers – and that’s why I won’t rest until every Victorian feels safe to be who they are.”
Victoria Police also spoke out on the back of the attacks, saying the force was disappointed with the actions of protesters.
Approximately 70 protesters gathered in Swanston Street at 5.30pm, who are understood to have been protesting against the need for police presence at public demonstrations before starting to shout anti-Israel chants.
Police say that at about 8.15pm, a group of about 20 protesters then walked to a restaurant on Hardware Lane where members of the public were enjoying their evening.
The group then began shouting offensive chants about the Israeli government.
“Officers were called to the scene and quickly directed protesters to leave,” police said in a statement.
“A 28-year-old person from Footscray was arrested for hindering police and has been released on summons.
“Several other protesters were spoken to by police and had their identities clarified for the purpose of follow up investigation.
“Victoria Police continued to support the rights of Victorians to protest peacefully but will not tolerate the kind of anti-social and violent behaviour that was witnessed this evening.”
‘We will stand up against these gutless acts’: Politicians speak out
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said he was dismayed at the latest attacks.
This is the 10th firebombing attack on the Australian Jewish community since July last year, according to the Jewish Association of Australia.
“The criminal attacks on Israeli businesses in the CBD and the East Melbourne Synagogue are shocking, and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Mr Reece said.
“I am angry and dismayed that once again our community is confronted with the despicable and racist actions of a few people. My thoughts are with the Jewish and Israeli communities, who are hurting deeply after these vile attacks.”
Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said Melbourne’s Jewish community has been forced to endure “attack after attack”.
“It is disgraceful and vile that Melbourne’s oldest synagogue was targeted in an attempted arson attack last night,” Mr Maimon said.
“The East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, a place only filled with love, was met with pure hate.
“The Jewish people of Australia are strong and resilient, but no community should have to endure attack after attack after attack.
“This rotten and evil disease of anti-Semitism must end.”
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel also condemned the attacks, labelling them a form of “terrorism” as she called out Victorian authorities for failing to crackdown on soaring anti-Semitism.
In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, Ms Haskel said attacks on the Jewish people in Melbourne had continued because there have been “no real consequences for those spreading hate and inciting violence”.
“Weakness and silence only emboldens the extremists,” she said.
“The horrifying attacks overnight on a synagogue and an Israeli business in Melbourne are yet another reminder of how far racist, anti-Semitic hate crimes have spread in the heart of Australia.
“Targeting Jewish houses of worship and an Israeli restaurant is terrorism, aimed at intimidating an entire community simply because of their religion and identity.
“These attacks are not just assaults on Jews or Israelis — they are assaults on Australian values of tolerance, diversity, and freedom.”
Mr Reece said everyone deserved the right to enjoy the most basic human acts, like practising your faith or enjoying a meal, without being attacked or vilified.
“Melbourne is a city of peace and tolerance. We will stand up against these gutless acts,” he said.
Council will be supporting Victoria Police in their investigations, and the affected communities as they begin to heal.”
At a press conference at the synagogue on Saturday morning, Mr Reece said there was “no simple solution” to curbing the string of anti-Semitic attacks in the city.
“As a city leader, I am absolutely committed to doing everything I can to bring people together, to remind people that we are a city of tolerance, a city of inclusion, a city of peace,” he said.
“This is the act of a very small number of people. I do think we need to remind ourselves of that, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a terrible and vile act and all of us as a community need to stand up against it.”
Mr Reece said the incident was “racism in its most vile form”.
“Last night, those basic human rights were violated, and it’s absolutely intolerable.”
“I cannot condemn strongly enough these acts of violence.”
Meanwhile, opposition leader Brad Battin and shadow minister for police David Southwick called for the people responsible for the attacks to be “identified and held accountable”.
“These are hate crimes and they must be treated as such,” they said in a joint statement on Saturday morning.
“We cannot allow extremists to terrorise Victorians simply because of their religion.”
“The Jewish community deserves protection, not platitudes.”
Mr Battin and Mr Southwick said the string of attacks were “not random”, but a “campaign of hate”.
Mr Southwick slammed it as “domestic terrorism”.
“These attacks all occurred on the Sabbath — a sacred day of worship, while Jewish Victorians were gathered in prayer, and patrons in the CBD were simply trying to enjoy dinner,” the MPs said.
“The perpetrators and organisers behind these co-ordinated attacks must be found and brought to justice. No more talk. No more empty statements.”
Meanwhile former treasurer Josh Frydenberg condemned the use of the word “protest” to describe Friday night’s events.
“When you firebomb a synagogue with people inside & attack a local restaurant because it’s owned by Jews, it’s NOT about Israel, it’s NOT about protest, it’s a hate crime,” he posted to X.
“Violent anti-Semitism is a threat to us all & until it’s called out for what it really is, it will continue!”
Former Olympian and Labor senator Nova Peris said the Jewish community felt “abandoned” by the government as she condemned the “violent hate crimes”.
“The Government needs stronger actions, not weasel words because the Jewish community feel abandoned by you on this issue,” she said.
“It is antisemitism and it should be condemned by every leader in the country.”
She also acknowledged the “brave Lebanese-Australian brothers” from Max Pizzeria who ran to Miznon’s aid and barricaded the dining room
“You represent the best of us Australians,” she said.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison said the dual attacks in Melbourne demonstrated a “dangerous shift in our political culture and society”.
“Whatever one’s politics or views may be on issues in the Middle East it does not afford the right to intimidate and commit violence against fellow Australians,” he said.
“People worshipping and dining with friends are peaceful acts. In Australia you must be able to conduct these in a free society like ours without harassment.”
What happened in Melbourne last night was horrifying. A synagogue set alight while families gathered for Shabbat dinner. An Israeli restaurant stormed and terrorised by protesters chanting âdeath to the IDF.â
â Sussan Ley (@sussanley) July 4, 2025
This is not protest. This is hate.
And it has no place in Australia.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said it was a shameful act of hate.
“What happened in Melbourne last night was horrifying,” she said on X.
“This is not protest. This is hate. “And it has no place in Australia.”