Victoria Police officially declare Melbourne synagogue fire attack as terrorism
Victoria Police has declared the Adass Israel Synagogue incident a terror attack and are hunting three suspects.
Victoria
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A joint counter terrorism team is hunting the suspects behind Friday’s arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast after Victoria’s top cop declared the blaze a terrorist act.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Monday revealed three arsonists were believed to be involved in the attack, which gutted one of Australia’s busiest synagogues.
“We have had a terrorist attack on that synagogue,” Mr Patton said.
“What concerns me is the callous nature of this attack, the involved nature of this attack, and the fact that the attack has taken place where it occurred.
“It’s quite clear it was targeted. It was callous and an horrific attack on the synagogue, but by default, it’s an attack on the Jewish people.
“When you have a crime like this that strikes at the fabric of the community, that is very, very concerning to us.
“Victoria Police and I personally condemn the callous and horrific attack, the targeted attack that occurred on that day.”
Following Victoria Police’s meetings with federal authorities earlier on Monday, a joint counter terrorism team will oversee the investigation into the arson.
The team will be made up of Victoria Police, Australia’s intelligence agency ASIO and the AFP.
Mr Patton would not be drawn on the three suspects’ identities, but he said they were considered flight risks.
He would not confirm if the arsonists were known to police, or whether they were carrying guns during the incident.
Foreign interference playing a part in the arson has not been ruled out.
“We haven’t ruled anything out whatsoever, and the investigation will be comprehensive and make sure that we look at all avenues of investigation,” Mr Patton said.
The terror act prompted a wave of high-profile calls for more powers to deal with rising anti-Semitism after Victorian authorities faced criticism for not branding the attack as a terror act at the weekend.
When asked why the arson was not officially ruled an act of terrorism until Monday, Mr Patton said it had been too early to determine the nature of the attack during initial investigations.
“We’ve gained intelligence and evidence, and as a result of that … we’re here now where we are saying we are treating this as a terrorist attack.”
Mr Patton said there was no evidence to suggest that a .22 calibre bullet found after the blaze was linked to the arson.
He said police did not have any intelligence that could have predicted the synagogue was going to be torched.
Premier Jacinta Allan, who ahead of Monday’s police press conference had repeatedly refused to declare the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne an act of terrorism, later said it was one of the most “evil” attacks against the Jewish community.
“Our thoughts again today must be with the Jewish community here in Melbourne … and indeed across Australia.”
“It is incredibly distressing to see that since that terrorist invasion by Hamas on October 7, we have seen communities here in Melbourne, around the country, around the globe, feel less safe, feel less secure,” she said.
“We have seen a terrible increase in the number of acts of anti-semitism that we have seen here in the city and state, evil acts that have no place here.
“We cannot let this conflict overseas continue to be a cloak for behaviour like that.”
Ms Allan, who faced some criticism for not attending a vigil held at the synagogue on Sunday, last week pledged $100,000 to help rebuild it.
When asked about potential changes to the law that would make it illegal to protest at places of worship, Ms Allan said: “That is why the law before the Victorian Parliament right now, the anti vilification rules that we have introduced in Victoria parliament, are just so very important”.
“It makes it very, very clear that vile vilification, hate, antisemitic behaviour, has no place in Victoria.”
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the fire appeared to be “politically motivated”.
“We will not tolerate crimes that undermine Australia’s security or our way of life,” she said.
“Do not test the resolve or determination of the AFP or our policing and intelligence partners. We will not tolerate crimes that undermine Australia’s security or our way of life.”
Police patrols with dozens of extra officers will be ramped up at synagogues and surrounding streets across Melbourne’s southeast.
In a statement, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria called on police to “expedite” their investigation.
“We are shocked and hurting, but we must show strength and continue living proud Jewish lives,” they said.
“We extend our appreciation to Victoria Police and other law enforcement agencies for their efforts so far.
“We urge them to expedite their investigation and arrest the three suspects to protect our community.
“The past few days have been traumatic and exhausting for many.”
Opposition leader Peter Dutton visits Adass Israel Synagogue
Opposition leader Peter Dutton toured the interior of Adass Israel synagogue today, labelling Friday’s firebombing an “abomination”.
Mr Dutton was flanked by more than 20 community members as he read notes left by supporters.
“When you look at the devastation that’s been wreaked upon a place of worship, it has no place in our country whatsoever,” he said.
Mr Dutton said the attack was an “abomination” and thanked the police for their efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
“How do you explain to a seven or eight-year-old Jewish child that their place of worship is attacked in this way? How do you explain to them that there are armed guards at their school, protecting them from a similar attack?” he said.
Former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni also visited the site saying it was the right step to declare the attack an act of terrorism.
“As a Jew and Israeli, for me, I share the feelings of my brothers and sisters here and I believe in the need to combat antisemitism,” she said.
Senator James Paterson was another to throw his support behind the Jewish community, demanding stronger consequences for antisemitism.
Visiting the scorched synagogue for the third time in four days, Mr Paterson said Jewish communities welcomed the Albanese government’s announcement of $32.5 million in funding for increased security at community sites, but they wanted stronger enforcement of the law.
“Some people are very proud and defiant and ready to stand up, but others have a lot of fear and are questioning whether Australia is a safe place for them anymore,” he said.
It comes as Mr Dutton promised, if elected, to set up an antisemitism taskforce, allow guards at Jewish schools to be armed and reform the migration act to would allow visas to be cancelled on the grounds of antisemitism.
Opposition says parliament should be recalled due to circumstances
Opposition Leader John Pesutto has called for parliament to be recalled next week to rush through legislation in the wake of Friday’s terrorist attack.
Mr Pesutto said he backed the Allan government’s vow to look at considering laws that protected places of worship from protests.
Politicians were at parliament in late November for the final sitting week of the year. It will resume early next year.
But Mr Pesutto said such legislation was so urgent that a special sitting of parliament should be held next week.
“Let’s get the job done. Let’s get the job done urgently,” he said.
As well as exclusion zones around places of worship, Mr Pesutto said police needed to be given stronger powers, particularly around move-on laws.
He called on the Allan government to agree to a special sitting day of parliament to pass that legislation.
“It’s not enough to just pay lip service,” he said.
“People are sick and tired of the Premier’s soothing words. They want genuine action.”
Mr Pesutto said it shouldn’t have taken this long to declare Friday’s firebombing an act of terrorism.
The Adass Israel Congregation has launched an appeal to raise funds to rebuild their synagogue. Donate here.
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