As it happened: Melbourne synagogue Adass Israel in Ripponlea torched in early morning firebombing; prime minister, leaders condemn attack

“Every society has its differences. We all have our differing views – many of them deeply held – but above all else, the key to the ongoing success of our harmonious multifaith, multicultural society is that we must navigate any division or difference respectfully and peacefully.”

Khalil said the synagogue attack was a hate crime.

“There should be no place for violence, hate speech or intimidation. And it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that is the case,” he said.

“I know that this horrific attack will be felt deeply within Australia’s Jewish community, and my thoughts are with the community during what will be a distressing time.”

Khalil’s office in Melbourne’s north was vandalised with red paint and a Hamas-linked inverted red triangle in October, a few months after vandals targeted the office of Jewish federal MP Josh Burns, whose seat of Macnamara includes the suburb of Ripponlea, where the Adass synagogue is located.

“We stand in prayerful solidarity with members of the Jewish community at this time.”

The Australian Multicultural Foundation, which promotes “the spread of respect and understanding between all cultural groups”, also condemned the attack.

“This is a distressing time for the members of the synagogue and the Jewish community more broadly,” said executive director Dr Hass Dellal.

“We are a multicultural and multifaith society where people have the right to practice and express their religion without fear of vilification or violence. This is not who we are as a multicultural nation.

“There is no place for such criminal behaviour and hatred towards innocent people, and on a place of worship.

“There can be no tolerance of antisemitism nor for any other acts driven by hate towards any community.”

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) described the firebombing as “a violation of the peace and security that every faith community deserves”.

President Rateb Jneid said the AFIC strongly condemned the attack and called upon the community to respect all religious groups and sanctuaries.

“We are deeply disturbed by the violent attack on the Melbourne synagogue. There is absolutely no justification for such acts of aggression against any community, regardless of the circumstances,” Jneid said.

“Such acts of hatred and violence must be met with a swift and firm response from law enforcement. We urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

“It’s an unhealthy Australia that sees people who are very upset with decisions being made by politicians in Israel, pouring out the hatred on Australian citizens and on children,” he said.

“That’s not a healthy Australian society. So rather than be silent, I choose to stand with the Jewish community to say, never again is now.”

Steven Green, of the Southern Cross Alliance for Israel, said: “There is a feeling that stronger laws earlier on would have not seen us in a position where a synagogue has been fired on this morning, [or a] lockdown in a synagogue in Sydney on Wednesday night while violent protest was happening on the outside.”

Read more about William Cooper in today’s story from Age chief reporter Chip Le Grand.

The Coalition and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have regularly accused Labor of turning a blind eye to rising rates of antisemitism and attacks on Jewish sites since the events of October 7, 2023.

Maimon rejected the notion that the Australian government should be directly blamed.

“Well, I don’t hold … the Albanese government as responsible for the rise [in antisemitism],” he said.

“But I do urge the Albanese government to take all necessary actions and steps in order to uproot this ugly phenomenon and to make sure the Jewish people, whether they live in Canberra or in Melbourne and Sydney or elsewhere, will feel safe and secure.”

Allan also confirmed there would be increased police presence in the Jewish community over the coming days.

“They’ll be around synagogues. They’ll be around important places for the Jewish community. They’ll also be in public spaces as well providing support to the local community,” she said.

The conference was cut short after a heckler interrupted, accusing Allan of “losing control” of the situation.

“Why should we trust that you’re going to keep the [Jewish community] safe when you’ve failed for a year and a half?” they asked.