Defiant Adass Israel synagogue refuses to be intimidated by Iran with plans to rebuild
Iranian-backed arsonists used 100 litres of petrol to torch a Melbourne synagogue. But the community is moving on from the “horrendous” attack with new plans. SEE THE VIDEO.
Exclusive: The Australian synagogue allegedly torched under orders of Iran’s terrorists will lodge plans to rebuild within months as they refuse to be intimidated by Tehran.
Australia’s top spy Mike Burgess this week revealed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had hired “cut outs” to light the blaze at the Adass Israel Synagogue.
Arsonists used five 20 litre jerry cans of petrol to fuel the blaze, which reached temperatures of up to 700 degrees within 15 minutes.
Benjamin Klein, a board member for the synagogue, revealed that plans were being developed for the rebuilding, with architects already engaged.
A temporary structure, built within weeks of the December 2024 fire, has continued to serve the community.
“This is our home,” Mr Klein said.
“These things are upsetting and traumatic but we pick ourselves up and keep on going, we won’t stop.”
Mr Klein said he was shocked that Iran was allegedly able to co-ordinate an attack from 10,000km away.
“Quite horrendous to see that linkage and to see this hatred that is being sent from the other side of the world to this beautiful city,” he said.
“It’s shocking, traumatic and distressing but we do feel well supported by police and government.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expelled Iran’s Ambassador to Australia this week, Ahmad Sadeghi, when announcing the ASIO intelligence that linked the synagogue fire and an attack on a kosher deli in Sydney to Iran.
Mr Sadeghi clashed with reporters as he boarded an aircraft to leave the country, labelling the claims a “conspiracy”.
However, intelligence sources detailed what they claim is a complex web of “cut outs” between the two alleged arsonists arrested in Melbourne over the blaze and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp - Iran’s hard line force that Australia has now declared as a terrorist organisation.
Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett said last month that Kazem Hamad, a criminal deported from Australia in 2023, was suspected to be involved in the co-ordination of the firebombing on behalf of the IRGC.
Hamad, now based in Iraq, has become a billionaire from controlling Australia’s illicit tobacco market and has been suspected of a string of firebombings of rivals.
A VW Golf used in the Adass Israel fire was also the getaway car for an earlier cigarette store blaze.
Iran was also suspected of being involved in several other anti-Semitic attacks in Australia since Hamas terrorists sparked the Gaza war with the October, 7, 2023, massacre.
The Adass Israel synagogue has remained a beating heart for the orthodox Jewish community in Melbourne despite the firebombing.
Mr Klein said detailed plans for a new synagogue were already being discussed with members.
“We’ve got overseas draftsmen and local draftsmen working on a plan for the future of the synagogue, that’s now sitting with the members,” he said.
“We’re hoping plans can be lodged in two or three months to council and then a building process of two and a half years until we see a nice big building here.”
Any new synagogue was likely to be set further back from the street, which is opposite a train station and a busy shopping strip.
“The building will be built heavily with security in mind, we’ve employed two separate companies who are working with the architects to ensure it’s a secure building,” he said.
More Coverage
Originally published as Defiant Adass Israel synagogue refuses to be intimidated by Iran with plans to rebuild
