Two people have been injured in an early morning firebomb attack at a synagogue in the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the horrendous act as a violent act of anti-Semitism.
About 60 firefighters and 17 trucks were called to the massive blaze at Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in Glen Eira, south-east Melbourne, at 4.18am on Friday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann said ‘two thugs’ had smashed the synagogue’s windows, threw fuel on the floor and then set it alight as people were preparing to pray early Friday morning.
The worshippers were forced to flee the building, with two people suffering minor injuries.
‘It’s outrageous,’ Rabbi Kaltmann said.
The worshippers inside the building at the time said inflammable liquids had been thrown in, synagogue board member Benjamin Klein said.
‘They heard banging on the door, and the window and some liquids came through which were lit. The whole thing took off pretty quickly and was on fire,’ Mr Klein told Nine.
Yumi Friedman was inside the Synagoue with one other during the time of the attack, when he heard ‘a big bang like a sledgehammer’ before the windows smashed open, sending glass flying.
He ran to his nearby fish shop to alert the police, then returned to the synagogue. While trying to open the door, he burned his hand.
He said another worshipper saw two men wearing balaclavas outside the property.
‘It is shocking that here in Australia there’s such anti-Semitism,’ Mr Friedman said.,
Hundreds of people were expected to begin gathering at the temple within an hour of the arson attack.
