Jewish community leaders in Australia issued urgent warnings Saturday night after coordinated antisemitic attacks in Melbourne nearly resulted in mass casualties at a synagogue while violent protesters simultaneously attacked an Israeli restaurant.
The Zionist Federation of Australia and Zionist Council of Victoria released statements condemning the incidents, which targeted both the historic East Melbourne synagogue and the Miznon restaurant owned by Israeli chef Eyal Shani.
Jeremy Leibler, president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said, "Approximately 20 Victoria residents came within moments of being murdered last night, and yet another Melbourne synagogue faced potential destruction – only swift action prevented this terrorist attack from succeeding. These events unfold mere days after the Glastonbury festival, where thousands chanted death calls that have now tragically resonated here in Melbourne, as an enraged mob invaded a restaurant cherished by our Jewish community and countless others."
Video: Synagogue arson attempt and violence during antisemitic pro-Palestinian protests in Australia. Credit: 7NEWS
Elyse Schachna, president of the Zionist Council of Victoria, emphasized the broader implications, saying, "This violent extremism penetrates every stratum of our society, systematically dismantling Victoria's multicultural foundation – the very diversity we once celebrated with such pride. We must speak with absolute clarity about what transpired during Saturday night's pogrom at both the Israeli restaurant and synagogue – this demonstrates conclusively that such attacks were never merely 'anti-Israel' but fundamentally antisemitic."
The dual assault unfolded around 8:00 p.m. when an unidentified perpetrator doused the entrance doors of East Melbourne synagogue with fuel before setting them ablaze. Inside, approximately 20 worshippers and family members were sharing their Shabbat meal, unaware of the danger. A 13-year-old congregant identified the threat in the security cameras and prevented entry, averting potential mass casualties.
Concurrently, roughly 20 masked demonstrators wearing keffiyehs launched their assault on the Miznon restaurant in downtown Melbourne. The attackers forced entry while screaming "Death to the IDF," hurling furniture and glassware while systematically destroying windows throughout the establishment.
Law enforcement officials arrested a suspect in his 30s for the synagogue arson attempt and continue investigating potential coordination between both incidents. Australian government officials delivered strong condemnations of the violence while announcing enhanced security measures for Jewish institutions nationwide.
