‘Act of Antisemitism’: Synagogue Set Ablaze in Melbourne

Latest Developments

• Melbourne Synagogue Destroyed: Two masked individuals deliberately set the Adass Israel Synagogue on fire on December 6, according to local police. Most of the building, which was built by Holocaust survivors in the 1960s, was destroyed, and one person was injured. One day earlier, anti-Israel protestors held an unauthorized demonstration across from the Great Synagogue in Sydney, forcing Jews to hole up in the building. In late November, a different Melbourne synagogue was defaced with messages reading “Free Gaza” and “Jews kill babies.”

• Leaders Condemn ‘Act of Antisemitism,’ but Australian Government Shows Hostility to Israel: Responding to the attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia.” Jacinta Allan, the premier of the state of Victoria, where Melbourne is located, described the arson as an “act of antisemitism.” The attack came just days after Australia reversed course at the United Nations and voted in favor of a resolution demanding Israel withdraw unconditionally from territories disputed between Israelis and Palestinians.

• Global Rise in Antisemitism: The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents between October 2023 and September 2024, more than quadruple the number over the previous 12-month period. Similarly, anti-Israel and antisemitic acts have spiraled out of control in Canada. In late November, anti-Israel demonstrators in Montreal burned an effigy of the Israeli prime minister, performed the Nazi salute, and attacked police. A recent survey found that nearly one-third of Jewish medical professionals in Ontario are considering leaving the country due to antisemitism.

FDD Expert Response

“Just as in Canada, the Australian government can’t feign surprise as antisemitism rises and turns violent Down Under when the government itself vilifies Israel and incites antisemitism. The next special envoy for combatting antisemitism will need to focus on close U.S. allies that have drifted into the pro-Hamas abyss and that are enabling antisemitism to skyrocket.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

“False accusations spread against Israel are fanning the flames of antisemitism. These aren’t overzealous defenders of human rights; they are modern purveyors of ancient blood libels portraying Jews as uniquely evil creatures that must be destroyed. Whether it’s antisemitism or anti-Zionism, there’s no practical difference if Jews are being attacked for their identity or their beliefs.”— David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“The sight of a Melbourne synagogue engulfed in flames should put paid to any doubts that Jewish communities outside Israel have become a separate front in the war concentrated in the Middle East. It also speaks to a massive failure by law enforcement agencies — in Australia, Canada, and too many other countries where synagogues and Jewish schools have been targeted on multiple occasions — to effectively protect Jewish institutions and prevent such attacks.” — Ben Cohen,  Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Manager

FDD Background and Analysis

“Australia Shows That Hamas’ Terrorism Pays,” by David May

“Australian Government Bows to Far-Left Pressure on Israel,” by David May and Natalie Ecanow

“Canada Bans Arms Exports to Israel,” FDD Flash Brief