The Australian authorities have established a special unit to fight anti-Semitism. This is a reaction to Friday's attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne. The temple was deliberately set on fire. These actions were considered an act of terrorism. In connection with the case, the services are looking for three men.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday the creation of a special police unit responsible for combating anti-Semitism. It is to consist of federal police officers. Its main tasks will include counteracting acts of violence and manifestations of hatred against the Jewish community and responding to related threats. The unit will be called Abalight.
The decision to establish the unit was made following Friday's attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne. This was considered an act of terrorism. It happened in the morning. Witnesses saw two masked men spilling an unspecified substance around the temple just before the fire broke out. This, as it later turned out, was flammable.
The burned interior of the Adass Israel synagoguePAP/EPA/YUMI ROSENBAUM
Attack on a synagogue in Melbourne considered an act of terrorism
There were several people inside the synagogue at the time of the attack. They allegedly heard banging sounds and then saw that one of the windows had been broken. Then, liquid was poured inside the temple and set on fire. – Everything happened very quickly – said Benjamin Klein, the temple manager who talked to the faithful affected by the attack, as quoted by the BBC.
As a result of the fire, one person suffered minor burns to his hand. The police are looking for three men in connection with the case. Their identities have not been made public. Recognizing the attack as an act of terrorism will provide the services with additional resources and opportunities to act, said Jacinta Allan, Premier of Victoria. The police emphasize that they have no information suggesting a plan for further attacks. However, patrols in places of concentration of the Jewish community were strengthened.
A synagogue on fire in the suburbs of MelbournePAP/EPA/CON CHRONIS
According to statistics published this year, approximately 117,000 Jews live in Australia. Therefore, they constitute 0.46 percent of the country's population. The number of attacks against them is increasing, said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, pointing to the recent destruction of the office of a Jewish MP and the earlier destruction of several cars parked in the suburbs of Sydney with anti-Semitic graffiti painted on them.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/YUMI ROSENBAUM