A weekend plagued by “terrifying” antisemitism

A newly developed Anti-Hate Taskforce is expected to meet this week, aiming to crack down on antisemitism and restore public safety following a frightening weekend of anti-Jewish attacks across Melbourne.

The historic East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation was set alight on Friday evening, forcing 20 people inside, including children, to flee. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, was charged over the alleged arson attack, while police work to determine whether to classify the incident as an act of terror. He has been remanded in custody until later this month.

Not long after, pro-Palestinian protesters – many wearing keffiyehs – stormed Israeli restaurant Miznon on Hardware Lane, throwing food, upending tables, smashing windows and terrifying patrons.

Elsewhere, hooded offenders vandalised Lovitt Technologies Australia – a weapons company with links to Israel – and set cars alight in Greensborough early Saturday morning, before fleeing on e-bikes. The company has previously been targeted by protesters opposing the Israeli military. 

Police are yet to establish a link between the three incidents, but have acknowledged that they all have inferences of antisemitism or anti-Israel activity.

An investigation is also underway following further attacks across Elsternwick over the weekend, including on two restaurants and a wall opposite the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which were defaced with the same neo-Nazi graffiti on Sunday morning.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry President Daniel Aghion described the situation as “terrifying”.  

“I don’t know where the next attack will be or when or how, all I can say is that it is statistically likely that it will occur. So far, we have been lucky in that no one has died,” he said. 

The Anti-Hate Taskforce will advise the government on how to best address antisemitism across the state, including strengthening police powers and enforcing anti-vilification laws. It will initially include state government and police representatives, Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, and members of Melbourne’s Jewish community, with other stakeholders to be added in the future.

"If you consider just as the fire came to the front door here of this shul, but it was stopped — so too must we put a stop to hate, put a stop to antisemitism,” Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said during a visit to the East Melbourne synagogue yesterday. 

"Which is why alongside pledging my support and my government's support… we spoke about the future. How hate needs to stop, how the Anti-Hate Taskforce will be convened. I will continue to stand with the strong, proud Jewish community here in Victoria every single day."

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) welcomed the new taskforce, and specifically, Allan's funding for mental health support to the East Melbourne congregation. 

“We are especially grateful that the Victorian Government will support counselling for those who were in the synagogue on Friday night,” said President Philip Zajac. “It was a terrifying evening for all involved, but this was alleviated, in part, by a very uplifting Shabbat service on Saturday morning.” 

The Premier also vowed to increase police powers to enforce the tougher protest laws which were enacted earlier this year, as anti-Israel demonstrations continue to be held regularly in the CBD. The latest on Sunday included the chanting of “Death to the IDF” — less than 48 hours after Friday’s attacks.

The Melbourne attacks have drawn widespread condemnation from a range of community and political leaders, both nationally and internationally.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “antisemitism has no place in Australia”. “Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law, and my government will provide all necessary support toward this effort.” 

Posting on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks as “reprehensible,” demanding 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.” 

World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem, issued a statement that read: “These attacks reflect the growing and real threat against Jews in Australia and around the world, which must be unequivocally denounced.”

Independent Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender said education must be central to tackling antisemitism. “Education must encompass understanding the Holocaust, building empathy for those who are different, and teaching skills on how to disagree with respect and critical reasoning. That can help address both antisemitism and broader hate,” she said. 

Australian Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, said the synagogue incident was “not simply an arson attack, what matters here is there is an attack on Australia, an attack on Australian values."

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive, Alex Ryvchin, said the events were a “severe escalation” and that the antisemitism crisis was “getting worse”. 

“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. There is a violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements, that taps into anger and prejudice."