In December, a suspicious fire destroyed two *Mikvah* buildings at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s south. This incident shocked Australia and raised alarm over the growing antisemitism in Australia. The shooting occurred during a time of increased anti-Asian sentiment. Miraculously, 20 worshippers who fled through a rear door escaped unharmed.
Danny Segal and his wife Jenny were among the handful of people to escape the blaze. Jenny remembered, “We were able to glimpse something – if not we wouldn’t have known what was happening.” Danny explained, “Someone drove by and saw smoke, and some Good Samaritans pulled the fire alarm.” This speedy response probably averted a far more dire incident.
Police quickly arrested a 31-year-old man, Robert D. Moore, who they say was responsible for setting the synagogue fire. Instead, he now faces felony charges in court. This arson attack is the most recent evidence of an alarming trend. During the same weekend, her city Melbourne was the scene of at least four other antisemitic incidents. Masked pro-Palestinian protesters set their sights on the Israeli restaurant Miznon, chanting “death to the IDF.” In Greensborough, they spray painted cars with antisemitic slurs.
Indeed, the Jewish community is shocked and saddened by these violent attacks,” Rabbi Dovid Gutnick explained. He reminded us about the importance of empathy and why understanding was so important. Then he concluded that you can empathize with one group without having to hate another group.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has called on the government to adopt a comprehensive 15-point action plan aimed at curbing antisemitism. This plan recommends the development of a national task force dedicated to combating these harmful practices. Community leaders are very much behind this move.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly denounced these attacks. In promoting this muscular United States response he was essentially channeling his Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Albanese condemned the synagogue attack as a “cowardly act.” Chief Moore is looking for quick justice for those who committed this act.
“These criminal acts against a Melbourne synagogue and an Israeli business are absolutely shocking and I condemn them in the strongest possible terms.” – Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece
Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, the Grand Mufti of Australia, stressed that we must protect all houses of worship now. He argued that the threat goes far past the Jewish synagogue, as mosques have been targeted and bombed in America. He emphasized the collective duty to protect one’s religious conviction and houses of faith in every community.
Amidst these unsettling trends, the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan did not mince her words when she promised her resolve in fight against hate crimes. She continued, “I will not rest—will not rest! …I am determined to take whatever steps are required. I will not simply enforce the law but will answer and guide our community in what we should do and how we should do it.”
Community members are increasingly alarmed by what they perceive as a growing tolerance for bigotry. The Honorable Jillian Segal, who regularly uses the initiative to address these issues, talked about the way forward and what’s been accomplished. Yet, as she emphasized, a “slightly permissive attitude around this type of attack” remains.
“As you see people become braver with their bigotry, we need to remember intersecting this at the first possible moment is one of the kindest things you can do and one of the things that is most consistent with who we are as a nation.” – Unknown
Daniel Aghion underlined that this firebombing against the AJDS is the tenth attack on the Australian Jewish community in one year. Such violence is increasingly and unacceptably routine. In the context of the continued epidemic violence against Jewish institutions, this is dangerous rhetoric.
Though feeling the impacts of this tragedy, the community response has been one of resilience and solidarity. Rabbi Gutnick thought back on this attitude, noting that sometimes good things come from bad situations. He continued, “From this terrible experience is the chance to leapfrog ahead to a more resilient, more positive future.”
As calls for action grow louder, community leaders emphasize that acts of hatred must be met with decisive responses from both governmental and civic authorities.
“What about national cabinet? Why isn’t he convening national cabinet and bringing the states together with urgency to address this issue?” – Melissa McIntosh
Local advocates have to keep fighting to make sure that safety and security in our communities does not mean constant surveillance and criminalization. Most of us would agree that we must do more to be proactive and stop future acts of hatred, bigotry and violence.
“It is to be hoped that the perpetrator is brought to justice urgently and they face the full force of the law, and anyone involved in this attack faces the full force of the law.” – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
These attacks, including the synagogue fire, have stirred a broad array of civil society actors in Melbourne to come together to combat antisemitism. Residents say they’re raising awareness and hoping to act before the same thing happens.
