A Melbourne synagogue was set ablaze on Friday in an act of arson, forcing 20 worshippers to flee as flames spread at the front entrance.
Police arrested 34-year-old Angelo Loras in connection with the incident. He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday and has been charged with arson, endangering life, and property damage, as well as possession of a “controlled weapon” from the time of his arrest on Saturday.
Authorities say the fire was deliberately started using a flammable liquid at the entrance of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, a 148-year-old synagogue. Worshippers were able to escape through a rear door, and firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it spread throughout the building.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the attack, saying it was meant to "traumatize Jewish families."
"Any attack on a place of worship is an act of hate, and any attack on a Jewish place of worship is an act of antisemitism," Allan said in a statement.
Acting Victoria Police Commander Zorka Dunstan called the crime “disgusting and abhorrent” in a news release on Saturday. However, Dunstan stated that the attack is not being classified as terrorism.
"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," Dunstan said.
The arson comes amid a weekend of other antisemitic incidents in Melbourne. According to the Associated Press, Around 20 masked individuals reportedly harassed patrons at an Israeli-owned restaurant downtown, and another business was vandalized with graffiti that police said contained antisemitic "inferences." Police have not indicated a connection between these three events at this time.
