A shocking arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s Ripponlea has left the community reeling, with new photos revealing the extent of the damage.
The ultra-orthodox synagogue was set ablaze in the early hours of Friday morning, with 65 firefighters battling to extinguish the blaze.
A Scene of Devastation
Photos released on Sunday show a room completely gutted by fire, with piles of charred debris made up of the collapsed roof and burnt-out furniture. The images are heartbreaking, and a stark reminder of the senseless act of violence that occurred.
The Synagogue’s Lucky Escape
Despite the devastating damage, congregation member Yumi Rosenbaum explained that the special Torah scrolls were spared, thanks to being kept in a fire-safe box. However, the photos show the area of the Synagogue where the majority of people congregated, highlighting the potential for even greater destruction.
Rosenbaum credited the presence of worshippers inside the building for limiting the damage. “They expected no one to be there and only left after noticing the congregants. If they had another 10 minutes or so, they could have done a lot more damage,” he said.
The Manhunt Begins
Victoria Police have launched a search for the two masked men believed to have set the fire. One Jewish worshipper, who was attending morning prayer, witnessed the pair pour an accelerant inside before it was set on fire.
A Deliberate Act of Terrorism?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced criticism for not immediately declaring the incident a terrorist attack. However, on Sunday, he clarified that in his view, the incident was “quite clearly” a terrorist attack, aimed at creating fear in the community.
“There is a technical process that is agreed in the protocols for designating an event as a terrorist act. That meeting is taking place tomorrow,” Mr Albanese said.
The Investigation Continues
The federal police’s top national security official, AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett, will fly to Melbourne on Monday to meet with officials as part of the investigation. The incident will be referred to the counter-terrorism command, and officials from Victoria Police, the AFP, and ASIO will determine whether to officially level the firebombing a terrorist incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the community comes together to rebuild and recover from this senseless act of violence. One thing is clear: this was a deliberate attempt to create fear and division, but it will not succeed.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.