Rabbi says Adass Israel Synagogue community can’t heal without justice
A Melbourne rabbi has said his community cannot ‘begin to heal’ from the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue until the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice.
A Melbourne rabbi says his community cannot “begin to heal” from the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Almost 100 days since the synagogue in Ripponlea was firebombed on December 6, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann told The Australian he remains “hopeful” the community will soon have answers.
“I remain hopeful that the perpetrators will soon be arrested and charged,” Rabbi Kaltmann said.
“My community cannot properly begin to heal and move on from this devastating incident until those responsible are charged and dealt with under the full force of Australian law.”
The perpetrators are still at large more than three months after the attack, with no arrests made.
Victoria Police revealed the firebombing attack was still being treated as a counter-terrorism investigation.
In a statement on Tuesday, a police spokesperson said: “No update, no change and still very much investigation ongoing.”
The police update comes as 14 people were charged over a series of anti-Semitic crimes in New South Wales, following a major joint operation by the Australian Federal Police and NSW police on Monday.
The Zionist Federation of Australia said the arrests provided Jewish people with some answers, but said the community was still on edge, especially in Melbourne.
“We welcome the investigation by NSW Police – those arrested for their involvement in this spate of anti-Semitic attacks should face the full weight of the law,” Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said on Tuesday.
“Let’s be clear; this wave of organised attacks was intended to rip apart the Jewish community’s social cohesion and sense of safety, and the perpetrators largely have achieved that aim,
“While today’s arrests provide some answers and relief, we await further updates about the horrific firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.”
An AFP spokesperson said any further updates about the synagogue investigation, dubbed Operation Hillfield, will be provided at an “appropriate time”.
“Investigations by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team in Victoria continue,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.
Commissioner Reece Kershaw told Senate estimates in late February the AFP remained “unapologetic” that its priority in these high-interest investigations is identifying the perpetrators and bringing them before the courts.
“Detail provided, whether it seems innocuous or not, can have an impact on investigations, including giving suspects an insight about what we knew and when, and what processes triggered expected tasks,” Mr Kershaw said.
Despite the long wait for answers, Rabbi Kaltmann said he still has faith in the police investigation.
“I retain faith in the police and trust that they’re doing everything within their power to find these people,” he said.
The Adass Israel Synagogue remains closed with recent estimates for the cost of rebuilding at between $25m and $40m.
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