A man has been charged in connection with an alleged arson attack on a historic synagogue in East Melbourne, part of a disturbing wave of antisemitic incidents over the weekend.
Angelo Loras, 34, from Sydney, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, facing charges of arson, endangering life, and property damage, as well as possession of a controlled weapon. He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody until July 22.
The attack occurred on Friday evening while 20 worshippers were gathered for a Shabbat meal inside the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
Flammable liquid was ignited at the synagogue’s entrance, prompting the congregation to escape through a rear exit. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, limiting damage to the entrance of the 148-year-old building.
The synagogue incident was one of several acts of antisemitic violence reported across Melbourne in a 24-hour period. Later that night, around 20 masked protesters stormed an Israeli-owned restaurant in the CBD, overturning furniture and shouting “Death to the IDF.” A 28-year-old woman was arrested and charged with hindering police.
In Greensborough, three vehicles at a business previously targeted by pro-Palestinian protests were set alight and spray-painted in what police described as an antisemitic attack. Graffiti was also found near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the attacks, labelling them “sickening,” and announced the creation of a new Anti-Hate Taskforce to address hate crimes and explore expanded police powers.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also denounced the violence, stating: “Antisemitism has no place in Australia.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke met Jewish leaders at the damaged synagogue, adding: “There were three attacks that night and none of them belonged in Australia… they were attacks on Australia.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the Australian government to take decisive action, describing the events as “severe hate crimes that must be uprooted.”
Source: ABC News
