Anti-Semitism: Suspect arrested after arson attack on Melbourne synagogue

In the Australian metropolis of Melbourne , a man set fire to a synagogue . The 34-year-old man from the state of New South Wales was arrested in the city center on Saturday evening (local time), authorities announced. The motive for the attack is still unclear; Australian police are investigating a possible terrorist motive.

The attack occurred on Friday evening during the Jewish holiday of Shabbat. Approximately 20 worshippers had gathered in the synagogue when the perpetrator set fire to the entrance door. According to police, everyone present was able to leave the building unharmed through a rear exit. The fire was extinguished.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack. Albanese said it was a "cowardly act of anti-Semitism" that had no place in Australian society. Netanyahu spoke of "anti-Semitic attacks" and "grave hate crimes that must be eradicated."

In addition to the synagogue attack, Netanyahu also referred to two other incidents in Melbourne : A group of about 20 people stormed and vandalized an Israeli restaurant in the city center. They chanted "Death to the (Israeli forces) IDF," the broadcaster 9News reported, citing witnesses. In the suburb of Greensborough, vehicles were set on fire and a building was spray-painted with anti-Semitic slogans, which had previously been the target of similar attacks.

In Melbourne, home to Australia's largest Jewish community with around 55,000 members, there was an arson attack on a synagogue at the end of last year .