Suspect Arrested for Melbourne Shul Arson, Restaurant Vandalization in Antisemitic Crime Spree

A wave of antisemitic incidents, including an attempted arson at a shul and a violent disruption at an Israeli-owned restaurant, has left Melbourne’s Jewish community shaken.

A 34-year old man was arrested early Sunday in connection with the attacks.

The disturbing evening began with an arson attempt at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. According to SBS News, assailants set a fire outside the shul’s exterior doors while approximately 20 people were inside eating a Shabbos dinner.

Though police have not yet classified the incident as a terror attack, Avi Yemini, chief reporter for Rebel News Online in Australia, credited the fire brigade’s quick response with preventing “yet another synagogue in this city from being destroyed in a terror attack, like the firebombing of the Adas Israel Synagogue last year, which remains unsolved.”

Later that same night, an Israeli-owned restaurant, Miznon, became the target of around 20 masked extremists. The Jerusalem Post reported that protesters “chanted ‘death to the IDF’ and threw chairs and glassware at the restaurant.”

Yemini told Fox News Digital that the protesters were “causing absolute mayhem” and escalated “to violence against patrons and the destruction of property, ultimately sending terrified diners running for safety.” Victoria Police arrested one protester, who was later released and issued a summons.

SBS News also reported that Victoria Police are investigating a third incident, where three vehicles were set ablaze, one completely destroyed, and a nearby wall was spray-painted. A police commander declined to specify the content of the graffiti but stated all three incidents contained “inferences of antisemitism.”

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), released a statement on X, urging “all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes.” Ryvchin emphasized the severity of the acts, stating, “Those who chant for death are not peace activists. Those who would burn houses of prayer with families inside do not seek an end to war.” He described a “violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements,” asserting that “those responsible cannot be reasoned with or appeased. They must be confronted with the full force of the law.”

Yemini suggested that Friday’s attacks illustrate how “emboldened” protesters have become. He stated that “since October 7, Victoria Police — under the direction of the government — have allowed anti-Israel protesters to effectively hold Melbourne hostage.”

The ECAJ has documented a significant rise in antisemitic incidents, counting 2,062 incidents in Australia between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed the attacks, saying: “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 continued, “The reprehensible antisemitic attacks, with calls of ‘Death to the IDF’ and an attempt to attack a place of worship, are severe hate crimes that must be uprooted.” Netanyahu concluded by demanding 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.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the events, saying, “I strongly condemn last night’s vile antisemitic attacks in Melbourne, including the arson attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue and the targeted violence at the Israeli restaurant Miznon.” He affirmed, “Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia,” and added, “There have been too many antisemitic attacks in Australia. The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease.”