[5] On 25 November 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters targeted a Melbourne synagogue where a panel discussion was organised by the Australian Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC).
[3] The men began pouring an accelerant on the floor and spreading it throughout the interior of the building with a broom when they were disturbed by a congregant who was attending the synagogue.
[19][20] A crime scene was established after the fire had been put out and members of the synagogue where allowed to enter in the afternoon of 6 December 2024 to retrieve the Torah scrolls, holy books, tallits, tefillin, other artefacts and some personal items.
[23] The Sydney Jewish community organised a demonstration on 15 December 2024, at Martin Place, protesting the Australian government's inadequate response to antisemitism.
[24][25][26] On 17 December 2024, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced new measures impacting public protests as part of an effort to prevent antisemitic behaviour.
[30][31] A similar conspiratorial statement blaming a Jewish conspiracy for the attack was made by Wissam Haddad (also known as Abu Ousayd), an Islamic preacher in Sydney who previously came under public scrutiny for antisemitic remarks.
He revealed that he had been briefed that same day by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner, and that the attack was deliberate and CCTV footage had shown the two assailants spread an accelerant throughout the building with a broom before setting it alight.
[44] On 8 December, Albanese stated the incident was "quite clearly" an act of terrorism, and announced A$32.5 million in federal funding for security upgrades to Jewish schools and community centres.
"[47] In response to the government's condemnation of the attack and the establishment of the dedicated police taskforce, Jillian Segal, Australia's Special Envoy on Antisemitism, pointed to the lack in serious penalties applied to individuals arrested in related events, such as those flying prohibited flags, and that it has set a tone of permissiveness in Australian society.
[53][54] Federal Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, said the attack was abhorrent, and that it was to be expected due to what he sees as a lack of compassion for the Jewish people from the Albanese government.
"[58] The Jewish Council also condemned efforts by a senior staffer from the Australian Greens to label the attack as a false flag, as the claim would only deepen antisemitic sentiment.
[3] The attack was condemned by the Victorian Multicultural Commission's multifaith advisory group, stating: "Places of worship hold profound meaning for people of faith.
"[61][62] And the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) condemned the attack, stating: “Such acts of hatred and violence must be met with a swift and firm response from law enforcement.
It follows the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, and more than a year of increasing hostility and intimidation of the Australian Jewish community in multiple, grotesque ways.
"[65] On 7 December, former Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg and former Labor senator Nova Peris called at a press conference for the federal government to declare the event a terrorist attack.
[66] Frydenberg said that Jewish Australians were now talking openly about leaving the country and that young Jews are forced to conceal their faith and ethnicity for fear of attack.
[68] Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the Albanese government following the incident, linking the event to Australia's position on the Middle East.
The motion calls on the UK government to address antisemitism both at home and abroad and to provide funding to secure synagogues and Jewish schools.