A shul in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, was set on fire early Friday morning, leading to the evacuation of congregants and leaving at least one person injured.
The fire, which broke out before dawn at Adass Israel, an Orthodox haredi shul located in the Ripponlea area, prompted those attending morning prayers to flee into the streets at 4:10 a.m. Those who escaped reported seeing attackers smash windows and launch firebombs into the building.
The fire caused significant damage and was finally extinguished by 5 a.m. after 60 firefighters and 17 fire trucks responded, according to the Australian newspaper, The Age.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly denounced the attack in a statement, saying, “I unequivocally condemn the attack on a Melbourne shul early this morning. I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia.” He further stated, “The people involved must be caught and face the full force of the law.”

Benjamin Klein, a member of the shul’s board, shared with the Sydney Morning Herald that congregants described seeing assailants not only throw firebombs and shatter windows but also pour flammable liquids into the building and ignite them. He mentioned that one individual suffered burns to their hand.
“They heard banging on the door and the window, and some liquids came through which were lit,” Klein explained. “The whole thing took off pretty quickly and was on fire.”
The attack comes amid reports from the Australian Jewish community of a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents since the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. The number of physical attacks on Jews surged from 11 the year before to 65.
“This morning’s fire has devastated Melbourne’s Jewish community and caused deep angst,” said David Southwick, a Jewish politician. “Amidst the worst levels of antisemitism in living memory, the community needs clear answers as soon as possible.”
The police arson squad is currently investigating the fire. If it is determined to be intentional, it would mark the second time the shul has been deliberately targeted in a fire, following a similar attack in 1995, Klein informed local media.
“My grandfather was the president at the time,” Klein recalled to The Age. “He was a Holocaust survivor and I will never forget him standing among the smoke and ash and just crying.”
{Matzav.com}