Violence at Synagogue and Restaurant Unnerves Jews in Melbourne

Australia|Violence at Synagogue and Restaurant Unnerves Jews in Melbourne

Australia’s Jewish community was on edge on Saturday after two violent episodes the previous night in Melbourne, one at a synagogue and one at an Israeli restaurant, the latest flare-up after earlier spates of attacks against Jewish institutions in the country.

The police in Victoria, where Melbourne is located, said they were investigating the two separate events, which took place around 8 p.m. on Friday about a mile apart.

In one, a man poured flammable liquid on the front door of a synagogue in East Melbourne with about 20 people inside and set it aflame before fleeing the scene, according to the Victoria Police. Everyone inside was able to evacuate through a rear exit, and firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance, the police said. There were no injuries and no reports of any arrests.

An arson investigator was examining the scene, according to the police statement.

Around the same time, a group of about 20 protesters near the center of the city shouted “offensive chants” at diners at a restaurant, the police said, leading to the arrest of one of the protesters for “hindering police.”

The police did not say what the chants were or give information on any damage. The local news media reported that tables were overturned and objects were thrown at the restaurant, resulting in a broken window. A 28-year-old man who had been arrested was released with a summons, according to the police.

A woman who answered the phone at the restaurant declined to comment.

The premier of the state of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, said in a statement on Saturday that the intentions behind the two events were apparent.