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A man who allegedly firebombed a Melbourne synagogue has been identified, as a series of alleged anti-Semitic attacks at several other locations across the city draws international attention.
Angelo Loras, 34, from Toongabbie in NSW, was arrested in the city’s CBD on Saturday night, about 24 hours after the front doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were allegedly set alight – forcing 20 men, women and children to flee.
Loras has been charged multiple offences including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, where the court was told it was his first time in custody.
He was remanded until a hearing on July 22. Detectives will investigate the accused man’s intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police are also investigating another separate alleged act of anti-Semitism from Friday night, when protesters who splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs and chanted ‘death to the IDF’ outside Israeli restaurant Miznon.
Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne’s northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.
On Sunday, the Ren Dao Vegetarian restaurant at Elsternwick opposite the Melbourne Holocaust Museum was also targetted with anti-Semitic graffiti, including a large stencil of Ned Kelly holding two guns spray-painted over a window.
Angelo Loras, 34, from NSW, appeared in court on Sunday charged with the firebomb attack
The Melbourne synagogue had 20 men, woman and children inside observing Shabbat
The Ren Dao Vegetarian restaurant opposite the Melbourne Holocaust Museum was targetted in a graffiti attack on Sunday (pictured)
Police have revealed they are investigating this fourth incident, which also included offensive images spray-painted on pillars at a busy intersection and a number of walls elsewhere in Elsternwick.
The alleged attacks followed hundreds gathering for a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned ‘reprehensible anti-Semitic attacks’ on both the Melbourne synagogue and restaurant.
He urged the federal government to ‘take all action’ against those responsible.
‘I view with the utmost gravity the anti-Semitic attacks that occurred last night in Melbourne, which included attempted arson of a synagogue in the city and a violent assault against an Israeli restaurant by pro-Palestinian rioters,’ Netanyahu said.
None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related, but the police are increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city’s southeast.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and Melbourne MP Sarah Witty met with the synagogue’s Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, president Danny Segal and his wife on Sunday morning.
Mr Burke and Mr Dreyfus described the firebombing as an ‘attack on Australia’ and the entire community.
New video showed the chaotic brawl inside a Melbourne Israeli restaurant after pro-Palestine protesters stormed the venue
Officers are seen putting a protester in handcuffs during the demonstration
Windows were smashed after protesters hurled furniture at Miznon
Mr Burke stopped short of declaring the alleged arson attack an act of terrorism, saying it would be up to Victoria Police to decide.
He refused to be drawn on Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand the Australian government ‘take all action to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law’.
Mr Burke said he spoke with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon on Saturday night as news filtered through of plans for him to fly from Sydney for the Sunday’s meeting.
The ambassador took it as a signal of the government taking Friday’s attacks very seriously, Mr Burke said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the synagogue arson as a ‘cowardly’ act of violence and anti-Semitism and said the attacks on the restaurant and business were unacceptable.
The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators.
‘Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law,’ he said.
Victorian opposition police spokesman and Jewish MP David Southwick criticised Premier Jacinta Allan, who condemned the attacks in a statement, for not fronting the media over the weekend.
Police are seen on either side of a protester after tensions boiled over outside Miznon
A man is seen being moved on by police officers
Diners watched on as a series of protesters were put in handcuffs by armed officers
‘Where is the premier,’ he asked.
‘The Jewish community feel like there is a war zone here in Melbourne.
‘This is Melbourne, this is not the Middle East.’
Ms Allan is expected to visit the synagogue on Monday.
The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city’s south and forced worshippers inside to flee.
