<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>334810</docID> <postdate>2024-12-07 11:24:01</postdate> <headline>Netanyahu blames Labor over synagogue fire</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-334811" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241127124044948986-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Benjamin Netanyahu blames Labor's "extreme anti-Israeli position" for the Melbourne synagogue fire. (AP PHOTO)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Rachael Ward and William Ton</b> in Melbourne</span></p> <div class="wire-articles__item__meta"> <div class="wire-articles__item__meta-info"><strong>The Australian government is to blame for a firebombing attack on a Melbourne synagogue according to Israel's prime minister, as the hunt continues for two suspected arsonists.</strong></div> </div> <div class="wire-column__preview__text" id="preview-body"> <p>The Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in the city's southeast was badly damaged after suspected masked intruders allegedly broke in and set it alight in the early hours of Friday.</p> <p>Two of its three buildings were gutted and two congregants who were inside at the time preparing for morning prayers were evacuated, one suffering minor injuries.</p> <p>Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the fire as an "abhorrent act of antisemitism" and said he expected authorities "to use their full weight" to prevent future attacks.</p> <p>Mr Netanyahu hit out at the government's support for a UN resolution calling for an end to Israel's occupation of Gaza and denying a visa to Israel's former justice minister Ayelet Shaked in recent weeks.</p> <p>"Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.</p> <p>"Including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel "to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible", and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country.</p> <p>"Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism."</p> <p>Ms Shaked was barred from entering Australia for a speaking tour on the grounds she could "seriously undermine social cohesion", according to Immigration Minister Tony Burke, who cited her past public comments about Palestinians.</p> <p>On Friday, Victoria Police Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the fire was believed to be targeted and investigators have not yet ruled out terrorism as a motive.</p> <p>The suspects had poured accelerant on the floor inside the synagogue and set it on fire before fleeing when they were disturbed by a congregant, police said.</p> <p>Yumi Friedman, founder of Yumi's dips, was one of those inside the building and described hearing a "big bang on the door with a sledgehammer" before fleeing to call police, only to return to find the building fully alight.</p> <p>The attack on a place of worship, which was built by Holocaust survivors, has led to a heightened sense of fear in the community, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.</p> <p>But he urged Jewish community members not to "hide away" from public view in the wake of the arson.</p> <p>Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed increased police patrols to bolster safety into the coming week and pledged $100,000 towards rebuilding.</p> <p>Politicians and religious leaders unanimously condemned the anti-Semitic arson attack, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offering to send in the Australian Federal Police to help with the Victoria Police investigation.</p> </div> </body>