In Melbourne, a city that should be a haven of peace and unity, another chilling attack on the Jewish community happened last night. An arsonist set fire to the entrance doors of a synagogue while worshippers were sharing a meal for Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Dozens of people were evacuated through the back doors, and luckily, no one was hurt. Police suspect the attack was religiously and politically motivated, which is yet another sign that antisemitism in Australia is not fading but intensifying.
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, condemned the hate crime outright, calling every attack on a place of worship an act of antisemitism and urging unity in fighting such crimes. But this is not an isolated incident. Since the war began on October 7, cities across Australia, especially Melbourne, have been hit by a wave of antisemitic attacks. Last year, two masked men attacked another Melbourne synagogue, injuring one worshipper lightly, and the case never saw charges.
Synagogue manager Danny Segal calls for peace and coexistence, but last night’s events show the road is still long and thorny. To make matters worse, about 20 masked protesters disturbed guests at a Jewish restaurant in Melbourne’s center, smashing a window. This isn’t just an attack on one community; it’s an assault on the core values of tolerance and safety in society.
The Australian government set up special commissioners last year to fight antisemitism and Islamophobia, but clearly, the measures aren’t enough. Will anything change, or will we watch hatred and violence become the new normal?
If you think this is far from us, think again. Hate knows no borders, and if we don’t act now, tomorrow might be too late. So, what do you think about these attacks? Is it time we all take this problem seriously, or will we keep pretending nothing’s happening? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s for peace and who’s for chaos!
