Jacinta Allan announces new Anti-Hate Taskforce to ‘look at the bigger picture’ of anti-Semitism in Victoria

Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a new taskforce to assess new legislation and policing powers to stamp out “extreme and violent protest” on the back of a horror wave of anti-Semitic attacks.

A spate of anti-Semitic assaults on Melbourne’s Jewish community over the weekend has sparked global outrage, with ­Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemning the “severe hate crimes” and calling on the Australian government to act.

About 40 hours after the firebombing of an East Melbourne synagogue, pro-Palestine protesters chanted “death to IDF (Israel Defence Force)” at a CBD rally and thugs who stormed a restaurant doubled down on their rampage, telling politicians to “stop clutching their pearls”.

The front page of the Herald Sun on Monday, July 7.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Friday’s attacks on Jewish organisations amounted to an “attack on Australia”.

Then on Saturday in a third attack, three cars were graffitied with anti-Semitic messages and set on fire outside Lovitt Technologies Australia in Greensborough.

“There is absolutely no place at all in our society for anti-Semitic behaviour,” police said in a statement.

It comes as Premier Jacinta Allan announced an “Anti-Hate Taskforce” after facing criticism from the Jewish community for failing to stamp out anti-Semitism.

In a statement to the Herald Sun, Ms Allan on Sunday night revealed she would convene the new Anti-Hate Taskforce involving the government and Victoria Police to “look at the bigger picture across our city and state”.

The taskforce — to include the Premier, Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Victoria Police and Lord Mayor Nick Reece — will have its first meeting this week to consider how police plan “to operationalise the criminal components of the Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Act”.

It will also assess “the progress of community consultation and development of legislation for increased police powers to stamp out extreme and violent protest”.

“The taskforce will meet regularly and consist initially of representatives of government including myself and the Minister for Police, Victoria Police and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne – with membership to expand over time,” Ms Allan said in a statement.

“We back our police, we’re giving them more powers – and we won’t rest until every Victorian feels safe to be who they are.”

Ms Allan did not appear publicly over the weekend, instead leaving it to Creative Industries Minister Colin Brooks to announce she would visit the synagogue on Monday.

Mr Brooks said the Premier had discussed an “appropriate” time to visit the Albert St shule.

“I respect both the views of the president of the shule and the Premier that (Monday) is the appropriate time,’’ Mr Books said.

Pro-Palestine protesters chanted ‘death to IDF (Israel Defence Force)’ at a CBD rally. Picture: AAP

Former executive director of Zionism Victoria Zeddy Lawrence asked what message it sent that neither Ms Allan nor Prime Minster Anthony Albanese had visited the synagogue.

Speaking outside the Albert St synagogue on Sunday morning, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the fire had likely been motivated by a wish to instil terror in the Jewish community.

“I think every Australian has a view, and we probably all have the same view as to where that will end up, but we leave that with the Victorian Police,’’ he said.

Rabbi Dovid Gutnick at the East Melbourne Synagogue that was targeted on Friday with a suspicious fire. Picture: Tony Gough

There was nothing to suggest the three incidents on Friday were co-ordinated, Mr Burke said. “The only link is one of anti-Semitism,” he said.

Victoria Police had yet to establish a motive last night.

Angelo Loras, 34, from Toongabbie was arrested on Saturday night by counter-terrorism police as part of their investigation into the blaze.

In a statement on Sunday morning, Mr Netanyahu said the “reprehensible” attacks in Melbourne were “severe hate crimes that must be uprooted”.

“I view with utmost gravity the anti-Semitic attacks that occurred … in Melbourne,” he said.

“The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community, and we demand that the Australian government take all ­action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law and prevent similar attacks in the future.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke speaking outside the East Melbourne Synagogue after the fire. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Burke declined to respond to Mr Netanyahu’s remarks, saying unity was more important than political sparring. He said there was “no place for anti-Semitism in Australia” and condemned the harm caused to the Jewish community.

“There’s been some reporting that no one was physically injured – that doesn’t mean no one was harmed,’’ he said.

“The community here was harmed. The Jewish community in Australia was harmed, and we were harmed as a ­nation.’’

Referring to “Death to the IDF” chants from the mob outside Miznon restaurant in Hardware Lane, he said: “Any chant that begins with the word ‘death’ is steeped in ­bigotry.’’

But Mr Burke would not be drawn on whether more money would be given to police to help tackle the rise in such attacks.

“The investment that has ­already happened in terms of additional security measures … has been part of the story of this (alleged) offender being captured so quickly,” he said.

Pro-Palestinian protesters repeated the offensive chants and brandished signs reading “Death to the IDF” at a Melbourne rally on Sunday.

While multiple speakers at the weekly rally condemned Friday’s acts of anti-Semitism, the group behind the attack on Miznon restaurant doubled down on their antics.

The crowd at Sunday’s pro-Palestine protest. Picture: AFP

“While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel’s genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians,” the so-called Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance said via Instagram.

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin said: “The attacks we have seen on the East Melbourne synagogue here in Melbourne are an absolute disgrace and is an ongoing outcome of what happens when you have weak leadership.

“This government has failed for so long when it comes to standing up and standing with the Jewish community.

“People are genuinely fearful of just walking down the street.”

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the Jewish community felt “under siege”.

“Where is Jacinta Allan, where is the leadership in Victoria?’’ he said.

“What is the government waiting for? We saw it happen at Addas, it should have been a warning sign for the government to get off their backsides and ensure that the community can be kept safe.’’

Free Palestine Melbourne rally MC Scheherazade Bloul said: “The fight against anti-Semitism is the same fight against racism and against white supremacy that we all fight everyday. We are not associated in any way with this attack on the East Melbourne synagogue.’’

Originally published as Jacinta Allan announces new Anti-Hate Taskforce to ‘look at the bigger picture’ of anti-Semitism in Victoria