Arson attack on Australian synagogue declared terrorist act

9 December 2024, 05:56 | Updated: 9 December 2024, 06:12

Flowers left at Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea
Flowers left at Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. Picture: Getty

By Flaminia Luck

Australian law enforcement authorities have declared an arson attack on a synagogue last week a terrorist act in a decision that increases resources available to the investigation.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Arson squad detectives have been investigating the blaze that extensively damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Friday.

The investigation was taken over on Monday by the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team which involves Victoria state police and Australian Federal Police, as well as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the nation's main domestic spy agency.

"The decision... to transition the Adass Israel Synagogue fire attack to the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team is a crucial turning point in this investigation," Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said.

"I want to thank Victoria Police investigators for the significant information they have gathered so far, which has helped lead us to believe that this is likely to be a politically motivated attack.

"This is now a terrorism investigation."

The declaration gave investigators more resources, information and legal powers to pursue the three suspects, police said.

Victoria Police Chief commissioner Shane Patterson said investigators had made "significant progress" but declined to detail that progress.

Adass Israel Synagogue after a firebombing in Melbourne, Monday
The declaration gave investigators more resources, information and legal powers to pursue the three suspects. Picture: Alamy

The synagogue fire is the first declared terrorist incident in Australia since April when a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a bishop and priest in a Sydney Assyrian church while a service was being streamed online.

The blaze is an escalation in targeted attacks in Australia since the war began between Israel and Hamas last year. Cars and buildings have been vandalised and torched around Australia in protests inspired by the war.

Read more: Israeli forces seize Golan Heights buffer zone after Syrian regime falls

Read More: King reveals 'anxiety' about carrying weight of the crown while talking to attendees from mother's anointing

The Victoria government on Friday offered 100,000 Australian dollars (£50,184) to help repair the synagogue and said there would be an increased police presence in the area.

The federal government on Sunday offered the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella body representing more than 200 Jewish organisations, 32.5 million Australian dollars (£16.3 million) to enhance security at community sites including synagogues and schools.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The violence flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.

Missiles thrown at police in second night of Northern Ireland disorder following protest over alleged sexual assault

Emergency services at the scene on Russell Close in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, where a man and a nine-year-old girl died in a house fire on Sunday morning.

Father and nine-year-old daughter that died in house fire named, as girl, 11, still fighting for life in hospital

The global superstar has reportedly offered seats to her London tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to families in need through food banks across the city.

Beyoncé 'gives away' gig tickets to low-income families after struggling to fill seats at Cowboy Carter London tour

from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years.

Cervical screening invites to be sent out every five years for some women in new NHS changes

Alex Eastwood

Kickboxer, 15, who died after charity match had fought 34-year-old man week before

Exclusive
The government is to introduce extra measures to protect emergency workers from religious and racist abuse, LBC has learned.

New laws to clamp down on racial and religious abuse of emergency workers, LBC learns

British Police Officers in London England UK

Police officers sacked for gross misconduct to be blocked from joining local forces in drive to improve standards

On Tuesday, the victims' families announced plans for a new garden space outside the Southport Town Hall inspired by their children's "shared love of dance, music and the arts"

Families of Southport stabbing victims to lead £10m town centre regeneration project in memory of young girls

Police have released footage of

Jury shown chilling footage of alleged Hainault attacker unboxing samurai sword used in killing of teen

Lynn King and her husband John  died after driving off a cliff at Alum Bay, close to the Island's famous landmark the Needles, on Friday

Tributes paid to couple killed after car plunges 300ft off cliff on Isle of Wight

Producer behind Brian Cox documentaries dies in mountaineering accident in the French Alps

Producer behind Brian Cox documentaries dies in mountaineering accident in the French Alps

s

Confused runaway zebra takes a spin as it is airlifted to safety after week on the loose

Portuguese police will carry out a new search this week at the request of German authorities investigating the 2007 disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann

Police searching for Madeleine McCann uncover clothing and bones in Portugal dig

Activist Greta Thunberg answers reporters as she arrives from Israel at Charles de Gaulle airport, north of Paris, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Greta Thunberg speaks out after being 'interrogated' by Israeli authorities

Jobe Bellingham has followed in his brother's footsteps by joining Borussia Dortmund

Jobe Bellingham writes emotional goodbye to Sunderland fans after joining Borussia Dortmund in club record deal

The Right Honourable Sir Sadiq Khan after receiving the Honour of Knighthood during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Sir Sadiq knighted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace