Victoria Police has not declared an arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue a terror incident as the force works to establish a motive.
The Friday incident came on the same night a group of about 20 people protested at an an Israeli-owned restaurant at Melbourne's CBD and made what police said were "offensive chants".
Victoria Police also revealed on Saturday it is investigating a third incident that occurred overnight in Greensborough in Melbourne's north-east. At about 4.30am, a group of offenders set fire to three cars — one of which was destroyed. A wall, along with the vehicles, was spray painted.
Zorka Dunstan, Victoria Police's acting commander in the northwest metro region, said she could not yet disclose whether what had been spray painted was antisemitic. She did, however, say the business had "been subject to some pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months.
She said police were unaware of any links between the three incidents, although she said they all had "inferences of antisemitism".
"Our investigators across all three incidents are liaising with our counter-terrorism command to understand whether there are any links," Dunstan said. "At this stage we are not aware of any links, but we are not discounting them."
Police have not declared synagogue attack a terrorist incident
Dunstan said Victoria Police was providing support to the Jewish community and the force was treating the three incidents "incredibly seriously".
"There's no place in Australia for hatred or discrimination of any kind, and we condemn it," Dunstan said.
The damage to the exterior of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Source: AAP / James Ross
"In the course of our investigation, we will examine the intent and ideology of the persons involved or person [involved]," she said.
"At the moment, we are categorising it as a serious criminal incident and responding accordingly."
The fire was started at about 8pm on Friday when about 20 people were inside the place of worship for a Shabbat dinner. It was contained to the front entrance, and those there evacuated without injury.
'Offensive chants' during protest at Israeli-owned restaurant
Dunstan said a 28-year-old person from Footscray had been arrested and released on summons over the protest at the Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon in Melbourne's CBD. Several others had been spoken to by investigators.
Miznon — which has venues across the world — is part owned by Shahar Segal. He is a spokesperson for the contentious Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), which has started delivering aid to the Palestinian enclave that has been under Israeli bombardment since the October 7 attack nearly two years ago.
Dunstan said about 20 protesters had splintered off from a group of about 70 at a 'No Police at Protests' demonstration nearby.
She did not say whether the Miznon protesters were pro-Palestinian activists. But several pro-Palestinian groups shared a statement on social media saying Segal's link to the GHF was the reason the restaurant had been chosen as a protest site.
The Israeli-owned Miznon restaurant on Hardware Lane in Melbourne's CBD. Source: AAP / James Ross
'No place in Australia' for antisemitism
In a statement addressing the arson attack and the protest incidents, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said they marked "a return to the antisemitic terror of the summer months", and that protesters had chanted "death to the IDF", which stands for Israel Defence Forces.
"These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community and clear evidence that the antisemitism crisis is not only continuing but getting worse," Ryvchin said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue attack, saying in a statement that antisemitism has "no place in Australia" and that those responsible for "these shocking acts must face the full force of the law".
"My government will provide all necessary support toward this effort," Albanese said in a statement.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly also condemned the attack in a joint statement, saying: "Antisemitism is evil and has no place in our society."
"This investigation is being led by Victoria Police, with our security and intelligence agencies providing whatever support is needed," they said.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley said both incidents were "horrifying".
"It is now impossible to ignore the growing crisis of antisemitism in Australia," she said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan also condemned the synagogue attack, saying it was "disgraceful" and made "all the more abhorrent" by the fact it was carried out on Shabbat.
Israel President Isaac Herzog in a statement called the attack "vile".
"It is intolerable that in 2025, we are still faced with the chilling image of an attempt to burn Jews alive as they pray, and attacks on Jewish businesses.
"This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last."
The attack comes seven months after a devastating fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in the city's south.
Two of the Adass Israel Synagogue's three buildings were destroyed in the early-morning blaze, which also forced members of the congregation to flee.
No charges have been laid however counter-terrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation.
