Covid-19: Police surround Melbourne synagogue after reports of lockdown breaches

Police will fine dozens of people who flouted lockdown rules and refused to leave a synagogue in Melbourne’s east.

Police speak to locals near an alleged illegal gathering at a synagogue in Ripponlea. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Victoria Police will fine dozens of worshippers who flouted lockdown rules and refused for hours to leave a synagogue in Melbourne’s east.

Reports emerged on Wednesday that nearly a hundred orthodox worshippers refused to leave the synagogue in Ripponlea for around 12 hours, despite the building being surrounded by police.

Some worshippers became aggressive towards the media while one man was photographed climbing over a roof as he left the illegal gathering.

A Victoria Police spokesman said all adults who attended the synagogue on Tuesday would be fined $5452 while a number of children present would not.

“Investigators believe a number of other people were present and are yet to be spoken to by police,” he said. “Investigators are working to identify them.”

Footage of worshippers attending the Ripponlea synagogue emerged on Tuesday with reports police had been present in the area since 6am.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed detectives had received multiple reports about alleged breaches of public health orders in the area.

Worshippers speak to police in Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Tuesday marked the midway point of the Jewish new year, also known as Rosh Hashanah, which in pre-Covid times would see traditional worshippers spend the day in prayer at a synagogue.

Premier Daniel Andrews said he hadn’t seen the ­vision but any rule breaches could prolong the state’s sixth lockdown.

“I’m not sure if it’s a faith gathering or a cultural gathering. I understand this has been a very difficult year for lots of people, they can’t go and do the things they want to do,” he said.

“But if we don’t follow these rules, we will all have to wait longer to do the things that we want to do.”

Some of those at the gathering clashed with the media. Picture: Mark Stewart

State member for Caulfield David Southwick said he was disappointed by Tuesday’s gathering and there should be conse­quences for those who failed to follow lockdown rules. “As challenging as this time has been, every breach sets us back further and it’s disappointing to see the actions of a few undermine the sacrifice of the overwhelming majority,” he said.

“Ongoing lockdowns have pushed faith communities across the state to the limit but there is no excuse to break the rules – for those that do, there need to be consequences.”

The Australian has chosen not to name the ultra-Orthodox group, which has previously been condemned by the broader Jewish community for flouting Covid-19 rules.

Scenes outside the gathering. Picture: Mark Stewart

Former state government minister and prominent Jewish community member Philip Dalidakis said the gathering showed a wanton disregard for the law.

“This is not an issue of God or religion, it is an issue of selfishness, wanton disregard for the law, human life and everyone in the our community doing the right thing,” he said.

Federal Labor MP Josh Burns, whose Macnamara electorate includes St Kilda, Ripponlea, Caulfield and Balaclava, said he was frustrated by the Ripponlea gathering at the synagogue.

“We all need to comply with the public health orders and I know many people are looking forward to coming together – as am I – but we just need to dig a bit deeper so we can come out of lockdown as safely as possible.”