Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned a fire that engulfed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea as an act of “terrorism” on Sunday. The incident occurred before dawn on Friday when masked arsonists deliberately set the building ablaze, leading to significant damage but fortunately no serious injuries reported. Authorities are currently in pursuit of the individuals responsible for this act.

Albanese addressed the media, labeling the attack as a textbook example of terrorism aimed at instilling fear within the community. “There has been a worrying rise in anti-Semitism,” he stated, affirming his commitment to vocally oppose such sentiments. He emphasized that the atrocities committed against the synagogue were intended to create fear, a hallmark of terroristic actions.

The Australian police are set to convene on Monday to assess if the incident qualifies as a terrorist act under official criteria, as their search for the arsonists continues. The attack has garnered widespread condemnation, prompting calls from both domestic and international communities for a stronger stance against anti-Semitism.

Criticism has emerged from various corners, including conservative politicians and Jewish organizations, directed at Albanese’s government for what they perceive as a failure to adequately combat rising anti-Jewish sentiments. Opposition leader Peter Dutton articulated his concern, suggesting that Albanese’s reluctance to take a firmer stand on anti-Semitism may be driven by political motives.

The situation gained further complexity when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the fire to anti-Israel sentiment, implying that the Australian Labor government’s recent decision to support a UN resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory contributed to a toxic environment. He asserted that “anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitism.”

This tension coincided with Australia’s recent vote at the United Nations General Assembly, where the country joined a majority to demand the cessation of Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The resolution was supported by a total of 157 countries, while only eight opposed it.

In response to the fallout surrounding the incident, Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the right of Australians to express their views regarding Israel, but underscored that such discourse should not be a cover for prejudice. She condemned the targeting of the Australian Jewish community as “utterly unacceptable” and cautioned against politicizing this sensitive issue.

The attack has sparked significant protests across Australia, uniting supporters of both Israel and Palestinians, reflecting the heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.