Police investigate antisemitism link to man arrested over alleged arson attack in Melbourne

A 47-year-old man is in custody awaiting an interview with investigators.

Police tape is seen in the foreground of a crime scene.

A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged arson attack in south-east Melbourne on Christmas Day. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

Victoria Police have arrested a man following an alleged arson attack on a car bearing a Hanukkah symbol outside a local rabbi's house in south-east Melbourne on Christmas Day.

A 47-year-old man was arrested in Richmond on Tuesday morning, and remained in custody awaiting to be interviewed by investigators.

No-one was physically injured by the fire, which took place in the driveway of a property in St Kilda East.

A woman and three children were evacuated from the property as a precaution.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said police are looking into charges against the man, including charges around antisemitism.

"We are still looking for angle of antisemitism, so if we detect any hate crime, then we will be certainly looking into charges that reflect that," they said in a press conference.

Police previously named a person of interest as they sought information about the alleged attack.

The incident took place just weeks after the Bondi mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, killing 15 people.

Jewish leaders have condemned the incident, with Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler calling the attack designed to frighten the community for being visibly Jewish.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan denounced the attack last month, with Albanese calling it "beyond comprehension".

"What sort of evil ideology and thoughts at a time like this would motivate someone? We know that there is evil presence," he said.

The federal government has resisted the growing calls for a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack and antisemitism.


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2 min read

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By Wing Kuang

Source: SBS News



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