Israeli leaders condemn antisemitic attacks on synagogue and Israeli restaurant in Australia

The historic East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was targeted in an antisemitic arson attack on Friday in Melbourne, Australia. Authorities confirmed that approximately 20 Jewish worshippers were inside at the time and were safely evacuated. The fire, which began at the synagogue’s entrance, was captured on security cameras. The suspect remains at large, according to local officials.

Victoria’s Acting Police Commander, Zorka Dunstan, condemned the attack on the synagogue.

“These crimes are disgusting and abhorrent, but at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident,” Dunstan stated. “In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and the ideology of the persons involved, or person, to determine if this is in fact terrorism. At the moment, we are categorizing it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly."

Danny Segal, who heads the congregation, called on Australian citizens to support their local Jewish communities.

“We’re here to be in peace, you know, we’re here for everybody to live together and we’ve got a fresh start in Australia, such a beautiful country, and what they’re doing is just not fair and not right, and as Australians, we should stand up and everybody should stand up,” Segal told media representatives. 

Just minutes after the synagogue was attacked, a crowd vandalized the Israeli-owned restaurant “Miznon.” According to the Herald Sun, witnesses reported hearing the mob chant “Death to the IDF” – a phrase recently used in an antisemitic outburst by British rapper Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Music Festival. Many of the assailants were reportedly masked and threw furniture during the attack.

Anti-Israel activists attempted to justify the antisemitic attack on the restaurant by claiming that co-owner Shahar Segal had served as a spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). GHF is an Israeli- and American-backed initiative designed to bypass Hamas and deliver aid directly to Gazan civilians. Hamas, which has infiltrated the UN’s relief agency, UNRWA, has been widely accused of systematically diverting humanitarian aid to support its war efforts and consolidate control over Gaza.

The back-to-back attacks in Melbourne sparked swift and widespread condemnation. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog issued strong statements denouncing the violence and expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community.

Netanyahu stated, "I view with utmost gravity the antisemitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters."

He described the attacks and the chants of "Death to the IDF" – along with the attempted assault on the synagogue – as "reprehensible," and said such antisemitic hate crimes must be eradicated.

"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," he concluded.

President Herzog wrote on 𝕏 mn cdfx: "I condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne’s historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together," said Herzog. "It is intolerable that in 2025, we are still faced with the chilling image of an attempt to burn Jews alive as they pray, and attacks on Jewish businesses."

He said that this is not the first attack but that "it must be the last."

"Australian authorities must take all steps necessary to protect their Jewish citizens. Antisemitism is a stain on any society, and must be confronted with urgency and resolve," Herzog added.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel also strongly condemned the antisemitic attacks in Australia. 

“Targeting Jewish houses of worship and an Israeli restaurant is terrorism, aimed at intimidating an entire community simply because of their religion and identity,” Haskel stated in a message on 𝕏. “The horrifying attacks overnight on a synagogue and an Israeli business in Melbourne are yet another reminder of how far racist, antisemitic hate crimes have spread in the heart of Australia."

“Let me be clear: these attacks are happening because, for too long, there have been no real consequences for those spreading hate and inciting violence. Weakness and silence only embolden the extremists,” the Israeli minister argued. “There is no justification – ever – for violence and hatred directed at Jews, Israelis, or any minority. The perpetrators of this terrorism must be brought to justice."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack on the synagogue, which he described as a “cowardly” act of antisemitism. 

“Last night’s arson attack on the synagogue in east Melbourne is cowardly, is an act of violence and antisemitism, and has no place in Australian society,” Albanese stated. “It is to be hoped that the perpetrator is brought to justice urgently, and that he faces the full force of the law, and anyone involved in this attack faces the full force of the law."

Approximately 100,000 Jews live in Australia, a multicultural democracy that was, until recently, widely regarded as a place of safety and tolerance for minorities. However, antisemitic incidents have surged since the Hamas-led massacres on Oct. 7, 2023, in southern Israel.

According to some reports, individuals from Muslim immigrant backgrounds in Australia and other Western countries have been disproportionately represented among those implicated in such incidents.

In December 2024, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) reported that the number of antisemitic incidents in Australia had increased by a whopping 400% since the Oct. 7 massacre.