A man tried to set a centuries-old synagogue in East Melbourne, Australia, on fire on Friday, officials said, the latest in a spell of anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim incidents in the country since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
None of the approximately 20 people who were inside the synagogue were injured, according to statement from the police in the state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital. Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes and cleared a small blaze that damaged the synagogue’s front door, the Victoria fire department said.
The attack came hours after tensions flared elsewhere in the center of Melbourne, as dozens of demonstrators rallied against what they called excessive security at local protests.
The police said a group of 20 of the demonstrators walked to a restaurant and began “shouting offensive chants” at people having dinner.
The attack on Friday followed a larger attack on a synagogue in Melbourne in December. Charges have not been filed in that case.
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