MELBOURNE, Australia — Authorities in Australia have officially classified an arson incident that occurred at a synagogue last week as a terrorist act, a move that expands the resources available for the ongoing investigation.
The blaze at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, which occurred on Friday, has been under scrutiny by arson squad detectives, but the case was taken over on Monday by the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team. This team consists of members from the Victoria state Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the country’s primary domestic intelligence agency.
Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett emphasized the importance of this decision, stating that it represents a pivotal moment in the investigation. “I appreciate the efforts of Victoria Police investigators who have collected vital information leading us to believe that this was likely a politically motivated attack. Now, it is officially a terrorism investigation,” Barrett explained to the media.
With the new classification, the investigative team gains enhanced resources, intelligence, and legal authority to track down and question three suspects identified in connection to the event.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patterson mentioned that significant progress had been made in the case but refrained from elaborating on specific details.
This fire marks Australia’s first declared act of terrorism since an event in April when a 16-year-old boy allegedly attacked a bishop and priest in an Assyrian church in Sydney during a live-streamed service.
Some legislators have advocated for the involvement of terrorism charges against the arsonists, aiming for these individuals to face potentially stiffer sentences.
The fire incident reflects a troubling trend of targeted assaults in Australia that have escalated since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas over the past year, with numerous instances of vandalism and destruction of property occurring in relation to protests inspired by the war.
In response to the arson, the Victorian government has pledged AU$100,000 (approximately $64,300) to assist in the synagogue’s repairs and to ensure a heightened police presence in the area.
Additionally, the federal government has allocated AU$32.5 million (about $20.8 million) to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which represents over 200 Jewish organizations, aimed at increasing security for community institutions, including synagogues and schools.
