Rupert Murdoch visits Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne after arson attack

News Corp’s Chairman Emeritus has called the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue a ‘deeply disturbing’ and ‘evil’ act, after touring the gutted Melbourne building.

Rupert Murdoch and wife Elena Zhukova visit the Adass Israel Synagogue, days after it was firebombed in an arson attack. Picture: David Caird

Rupert Murdoch has visited the Adass Israel Synagogue in the wake of a devastating firebombing, calling the aftermath of the antisemitic attack “deeply moving”.

The Chairman Emeritus of News Corp and Fox Corporation and his wife Elena Zhukova toured the gutted Ripponlea synagogue on Thursday, six days on from an arson attack that forced worshippers to flee in terror.

Mr Murdoch, who was shown through the ruins by Jewish leaders, said it was “extremely disturbing” that such “evil” could have occurred in Melbourne.

“Elena and I were deeply moved during our visit to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea,” he said.

Mr Murdoch is shown inside the gutted synagogue. Picture: David Caird

“We felt it was important to pay our respects and show solidarity with the Jewish community after such an appalling terror attack on a place of worship.

“To think such an evil act can happen in the suburbs of Melbourne is extremely disturbing.

Mr Murdoch added the anti-Semitism has “no place in Australia, or anywhere in the world” as he pledged to always stand against such hatred.

Victorian Rabbinical Council president Rabbi Moshe Kahn said Mr Murdoch’s visit was “deeply heartening”.

Mr Murdoch described the attack as ‘deeply disturbing’. Picture: David Caird

“We have witnessed the worst of humanity, but equally, when individuals stand up, we see the best of humanity – and we have seen so much of that,” he said.

“For Rupert to have visited the synagogue, to have walked around, and to have shown genuine interest, was deeply heartening.

“It showed that he’s a man of action and not just words.”