On Monday, the Australian Police announced that they were searching for three people in connection with a fire attack on a Melbourne Synagogue. The police have classified the incident as a terror attack.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, was among those who condemned the fire.
Shane Patton said, at a Victorian Police press conference, that “three people are involved in the matter, and we are pursuing these individuals.”
Patton declined to provide further details on the operation but said that investigations made over the weekend “significant progress”.
According to the police chief, officials from Australia’s federal and state law enforcement agencies as well as its intelligence agency met Monday in order to determine the cause of the fire.
Patton said, “I’m confident that we have had an attack based on these facts.” It was a terrorist attack on that synagogue. “
Australia’s response against “rising antisemitism”.
Counterterrorism has joined the investigation. Under Australian law, terrorists are defined as those who cause death, serious injuries, or property damages to promote or intimidate a political, religious, or public cause.
Michael Zekulin is a terrorism researcher at the Australian National University. He says that if a case is identified as a terrorist attack, then other federal agencies will be able to help in the investigation.
He said to AFP, “Basically you get extra resources that you wouldn’t get otherwise”.
Mike Burgess stated that there is no evidence that more attacks are likely. Australia’s terror rating remains “probable”.
Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, announced that a federal antisemitism taskforce would be formed. Albanese has called the attack against the synagogue “outrageous” and condemned it.
Albanese stated at a recent press conference that the antisemitism is on the rise. He cited vandalism in the past and the fire of a synagogue.
The task force will focus on threats, violence, and hatred directed towards the Jewish community, as well as parliamentarians.
Protests against the Gaza war have erupted in Australia and across the globe, both by Palestinians and supporters of Israel.
In January of this year, Australian lawmakers introduced new laws to combat the increase in antisemitic incidents. In January, Australian legislators introduced several new laws to combat the rise in antisemitic incidents.
Mark Dreyfus was Australia’s attorney general at the time. He said the laws sent “a clear message” that there is no place for acts or symbols that glorify horrors like the Holocaust and terrorist attacks.
Israeli leaders and Australian leaders “respectfully disagree” on antisemitism
Before a fire broke out, Netanyahu attacked Australia’s government.
He declared, “After the attack, antisemitism was anti-Israel sentiment. “
Australia supported the resolution by the United Nations General Assembly which demanded that Israel end its “illegal presence” in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
New Zealand voted for it along with Britain and Canada, but eight countries voted against it, including the U.S.
Mark Dreyfus the Australian Attorney-General rejected Netanyahu’s allegations.
“He is completely wrong. Dreyfus told ABC: “I respectfully disagree with Mr. Netanyahu. “Australia has always been a close friend of Israel, ever since Labor recognized Israel as a state after its establishment by the United Nations. “
