The Jewish community in Kryvyi Rih is experiencing a disturbing wave of antisemitic incidents, as a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the city's central synagogue at the conclusion of Passover, just one week after a community vehicle was vandalized.

The first incident occurred early last week when a vehicle belonging to the community, bearing Jewish symbols, was severely vandalized. The vehicle's tires were punctured, community emblems were defaced, and paint was poured over the body of the car. "This was an act aimed at harming us as a Jewish community," Rabbi Liron Edri, the city's rabbi and Chabad emissary, said.

On the evening after Passover, the more serious incident occurred. Molotov cocktails were thrown at the synagogue, and Rabbi Edri was alerted by the CWA security center (Chabad's worldwide security center) in Ukraine. "Thanks to the window reinforcement installed in recent months, a large fire was prevented," Rabbi Edri said. The protection, which includes special shielding along with cameras and alarm systems installed by CWA, prevented the bottles from penetrating inside and causing significant damage.

Rabbi Edri noted that the pattern of operation was similar to an antisemitic incident that recently occurred in the city of Mykolaiv, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at a synagogue. "We fear this is a planned trend against Jewish communities," he added.

Local security authorities have opened an investigation, and the community is awaiting updates. These incidents join a wave of antisemitic events in Ukraine, against the backdrop of the ongoing war and the intensification of antisemitic discourse in Eastern Europe.

Elia Goldberg, CWA security officer, emphasized the importance of early preparation, "The protection and security we installed, with the assistance of the Jewish Agency's Security Fund, saved the synagogue. We continue to work with the community to ensure its security."

Despite the threat, the Chabad community in Kryvyi Rih continues to maintain its activities. "We will not let fear stop us," Rabbi Edri said. "Light will dispel darkness, and I thank the police and government who immediately came to the synagogue and promised to conduct an investigation and arrest the perpetrators," he said.

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A large fire broke out Thursday at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, with police investigating it as a potential antisemitic attack. Benjamin Klein, a member of the synagogue's board, told ABC that an "enormous amount" of sacred books, Torah scrolls, and furniture were destroyed.

The fire, which caused significant damage to two synagogue buildings, left Adass Israel congregants in shock, with some arriving for morning prayers to find their synagogue severely damaged by the blaze.

Firefighters arrived at the scene around 4 AM and battled the flames for nearly an hour before gaining control. According to witnesses, two individuals smashed the synagogue's window, poured gasoline, and threw Molotov cocktails that ignited the building. Worshippers present at the time were forced to flee through the back exit, with one person suffering burns to their hands.

More than 60 firefighters have fought a blaze ignited after a suspected arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue early on Friday morning. Latest: https://t.co/eWT9sXsSwJ pic.twitter.com/DpWVr7QWHN

— The Australian (@australian) December 5, 2024

 Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote Friday morning on his X account: "I call on Australian leadership and leaders worldwide to strongly condemn this despicable act of terror and fight against the intolerable rise in anti-Jewish racism globally." The president also expressed his admiration for the community's strength, unity, and resilience in the face of the attack and wave of antisemitism.

Seventeen firefighting teams worked to extinguish the blaze. The synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors, serves as a vital center for the local Jewish community. "This is the crown jewel of the Jewish community," said Benjamin Klein, a synagogue board member. He added that the community is in shock. "We've been on high alert in recent months, with security patrols and cameras, but seeing something like this happen is shocking."

"This synagogue is the busiest in Australia, so it's a very, very active synagogue. We're open 20 to 22 hours a day," Klein said. "For this to happen to a synagogue thousands of miles from anywhere else in the world, in a peaceful neighborhood, peaceful community, it's quite terrible."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the arson, calling it a deliberate and illegal attack that contradicts all the country's values. "I have zero tolerance for antisemitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. The violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage," Albanese said. "This attack has risked lives and is clearly aimed at creating fear in the community."

pic.twitter.com/AfmZMZgtMu

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 5, 2024

Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, condemned the attack: "No one should be surprised. This violent attack is a direct result of words turning into actions. Unchecked hatred of Jews endangers all Australians." Klein also noted this wasn't the first time the synagogue had been targeted. In 1995, it was damaged in a deliberate fire.

Yossi Friedman told foreign media that he was inside the synagogue with another person around 4:10 AM when they suddenly heard a loud bang and breaking glass. "I saw glass flying, so I just jumped from my chair, ran from the synagogue through the hall to the back path," Friedman recounted. He asked a staff member at a store to call the police and then returned to the synagogue, only to find the building engulfed in flames. "I thought maybe I could open the doors and get inside, but when I touched the door my hand got burned," he said, "so I decided it was too dangerous and left."

I am appalled by the abhorrent arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
Antisemitism must be relentlessly confronted. I urge Australian authorities to act swiftly and ensure the despicable perpetrators are brought to justice.
Israel stands in solidarity with the…

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) December 6, 2024

World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel addressed the antisemitic attack against the Jewish synagogue in Melbourne, Australia: "Jewish blood is not worthless! The attack against the synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, is another reminder of the antisemitic wave that has been raising its head worldwide with greater intensity since October 7."

The post Synagogue, Torah scrolls torched in Melbourne appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

A 25-year-old Syrian man has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli embassy in The Hague in March, Dutch News reported on Tuesday.

The attacker, who was arrested minutes after the incident thanks to security camera footage, admitted to throwing an olive oil bottle filled with petrol and a lit piece of cloth at the building. The assault resulted in a fire on part of the embassy's facade and surrounding shrubbery but caused minimal damage, according to Dutch News.

During the trial, the man stated that his intention was to draw attention to the situation in Gaza. The Syrian-born suspect said to the court that he had personally experienced "children dying of hunger. It was a message to Israel: war is wrong, please stop." However, the court ruled that "he should have done this in a different, peaceful manner."

The court deemed the 2.5-year jail term appropriate due to the planned nature of the attack. Evidence revealed that three weeks prior to the incident, the perpetrator had traveled to The Hague with a bottle of petrol, intending to target the embassy, but ultimately did not carry out the act.

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Israeli drivers are giving up on using Route 443 by the masses as the highway has become the center point of stone and Molotov cocktail throwing by Palestinians. 

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Every day, tens of thousands use the major highway, which separates Jerusalem from central Israel. But with the increased attacks in recent months, a disaster is just a matter of time. 

Video: Free usage under Israeli copyright law (Section 27A)

Dashcam footage that circulated on social media this week showed an Israeli vehicle driving on Route 443, when a Molotov cocktail was hurled onto the street, missing the car by an inch. 

Data obtained by Israel Hayom showed that from the beginning of 2023, a shocking 50 cases were reported on the highway. The actual number is most likely even higher as not every case is reported. 

The most recent incident occurred on Thursday, when Palestinians threw rocks at an Israeli driver, who was lightly injured, but, thankfully, managed to maintain control of the car. 

What complicates matters is that security in the area is lacking as the IDF only operates one squadron, which is abysmally little compared to the manpower it uses for the same areas territory-wise in Judea and Samaria.

Oftentimes, these units are underequipped and undertrained in tackling terrorism. Most recently, Israel Hayom learned that officers are not even equipped with bulletproof vests, which makes pursuing a suspect in nearby Palestinian villages almost impossible. 

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