Australia’s PM calls Adass Israel Synagogue arson a terror act

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the suspected arson at Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue on Sunday, describing it as an act of terror. His remarks came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the Labor government’s policies had fueled the crime.

"The atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community and therefore from my personal perspective certainly fulfill that definition of terrorism," Albanese stated during a press conference in Perth.

Netanyahu, speaking on Saturday, linked the synagogue blaze - which occurred early Friday - to what he called the "anti-Israel spirit" of Albanese’s center-left government. He cited policies such as support for a recent United Nations motion backing a Palestinian state as contributing to the atmosphere that led to the attack.

In response, the Australian government defended its stance, highlighting its actions against antisemitism. Since taking office in May 2022, Albanese’s administration has allocated A$25 million to enhance security at Jewish institutions, banned the Nazi salute, and strengthened measures against hate speech.

* Ynet contributed to this article.