‘Act of terror’: Melbourne synagogue set on fire with families inside

Melbourne’s Jewish community are reeling from a night of terror after a synagogue was set alight and an Israeli restaurant was stormed by a violent group.

A manhunt is now underway for an arsonist who set fire to a Melbourne synagogue as 20 people, including children, were inside having a Shabbat dinner on Friday.

Victoria Police alleged a man entered the grounds of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Albert St at around 8pm and poured flammable liquid over the front door before setting it alight then fleeing on foot.

“Everyone inside self-evacuated through the rear of the building and there have been no reports of injuries,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“Firefighters attended and extinguished the fire which was contained to the front entrance.

“Police are still working to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the fire, including the motivation behind the incident.

“An arson chemist will be attending the scene and police are currently canvassing for CCTV footage.

“There is absolutely no place in our society for antisemitic or hate-based behaviour,” they added.

Families were dining inside when the fire was lit. Picture: David Crosling/ NewsWire

Police have released images of a person they wish to speak to in relation to the suspicious fire at an East Melbourne synagogue last night. Picture: VIC Police

Police have released an image of the attempted synagogue firebombing suspect, captured just before 8pm on Friday night.

The CCTV shows a man walking past the synagogue’s front gate holding what appears to be a dark duffle bag.

“The man depicted is perceived as being Caucasian in appearance, is believed to be aged in his 30s with a beard and long hair,” police said in a statement.

“He is pictured wearing a dark blue or black jumper, black pants and a black beanie.”

Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley branded the attack “horrifying” in a statement to social media.

“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 ‘death to the IDF’,” she said.

“This is not protest. This is hate. And it has no place in Australia.”

In a separate incident a group of keffiyeh-wearing protesters stormed Jewish-owned restaurant Miznon while reportedly chanting “death to the IDF (Israeli Defence Force)”.

Footage shows protesters scuffling with staff while knocking over tables as patrons screamed, before police arrived and arrested one man.

Protesters stormed an Israeli-restaurant in Melbourne last night. Picture: X

One protester was arrested at Miznon. Picture: Newswire

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission said Friday’s attacks were an “act of terrorism”.

“On Friday night, someone tried to burn Jews alive in their house of worship. On Friday night, a mob hunted them down in the streets. This was terrorism. A synagogue, one of the oldest in the country, was deliberately set on fire while Jewish families were eating together. Had the flames reached further, we would be counting bodies, not blessings,” he said.

“Minutes later, a gang of masked rioters stormed an Israeli restaurant. They came armed with hatred and chairs, chanting ‘Death to the IDF’ as they smashed windows and terrorised diners.

“Children screamed. Glass shattered. Melbourne, for one night, stopped being a safe place for Jews.”

A lone Jewish supporter at Synagogue in East Melbourne where a fire was lit at the doorway last night. Picture: David Crosling

The global restaurant chain, spearheaded by Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani and his business partner Shachar Segal, first opened its doors in 2011 in Tel Aviv before expanding to Paris, Vienna, Melbourne and New York City.

The restaurant has come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that Mr Segal was now the official spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Just two days ago, AP reported that American contractors guarding GHF sites in Gaza were firing live ammunition and stun grenades towards Palestinians seeking food.

The United Nations and other aid groups have refused to work with GHF, saying it violates basic humanitarian principles.

Palestinian children line up to receive a hot meal at a food distribution point as Gaza’s population faces famine. Picture: Eyad BABA / AFP

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher slammed the initiative in May, branding it a “cynical sideshow”.

“It makes aid conditional on political and military aims. It makes starvation a bargaining chip. It is cynical sideshow.”

One in five people in Gaza currently face starvation due to the Israeli blockade of food and aid while 93 per cent are experiencing acute food shortages, according to a UN-backed assessment.

Prices have soared for basics with a 25 kilogram sack of wheat flour now costing between $235 and $520, representing a 3,000 per cent price spike since February.