Jewish community holds vigil for firebombed Melbourne synagogue

Hundreds of members and supporters of the Jewish community, including MPs from across the political spectrum, stand side-by-side at a vigil near the Abass Israel Synagogue, in the wake of Friday’s attack.

Jewish community supporters including Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto, Liberal MP David Southwick and Shadow Minister for Home Affairs James Paterson, attend a vigil in a park near the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Picture: David Crosling

Hundreds of Jewish community members are gathering near the Adass Israel synagogue on Sunday for a vigil, at the site of the burnt out synagogue, which was attacked on Friday.

The ultra-Orthodox temple was firebombed and significantly damaged at about 4am by what police suspect was a pair of young men, possibly teenagers.

Two worshippers were in the temple at the time; there were no major injuries but a Jewish man who fled when a window was smashed burnt his hand on a door. Millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture were destroyed or badly damaged.

Internal damage to the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea after it was firebombed. Picture: Yumi Rosenbaum

Standing side-by-side in a show of bipartisan support, Labor MP Josh Burns and opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson are in attendance.

Chants of ‘bring them home’ and ‘enough is enough’ were heard at the vigil. Picture: David Crosling

Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto and Liberal MP David Southwick are also in attendance.

Mr Burns told the crowd he acknowledged anti-Semitism should have “never gotten to this point” in Australia,

“I know this community has been crying for months and months, including after my office was attacked that it should have never gotten to this point,” he said.

Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party David Southwick spoke at the vigil, alongside Labor MP Josh Burns. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“But it has and now we must face it with strength, with courage and determination because hate will not win.”

Chants of “bring them home” and “enough is enough” were heard, as 101 hostages remain in captive in Gaza.

Mr Southwick said it was a “tough time” for Mr Burns and told the crowd: “this wasn’t anti-Semitism, this is domestic terrorism.”

Josh Frydenberg pictured outside the synagogue. Picture: David Crosling

Flowers and messages of support have been placed at the entrance of the synagogue in a show of support for the Jewish community.

People lay flowers outside the Adass Israel Synagogue. Picture: David Crosling

With Jessica Wang