In a shocking display of hatred, two masked individuals set fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne early Friday, sparking outrage from Prime Minister Albanese and renewed calls for community solidarity against rising antisemitism.

The arson attack, which drew swift condemnation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as an outraged affront to the right of Australians to practice their faith, serves as a grim reminder of the troubling rise in antisemitism in Australia since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. With a fire hose-wielding brigade of 60 firefighters tackling the blaze and a community rallying in solidarity, the event has ignited not only flames but also a renewed commitment to standing against hate—proving once again that when it comes to community spirit, Melburnians are more than just smartly dressed; they're also fiercely united.

The incident, which occurred around 4 a.m., saw two individuals making a scene with what can only be termed a distinctive flair for destruction. Witnesses reported seeing liquid being hurled inside the synagogue before the inferno erupted in a display that had firefighters scrambling to extinguish the flames as they churned through the building, leaving extensive damage in their wake. It’s a shame, really, because they might have found other ways to express their distress—perhaps through interpretive dance, or a strongly worded letter.

Prime Minister Albanese did not mince words, calling the incident an outrage, and rightly positioning it as an attack on the basic tenet that Australians should be able to practice their faith in peace. He stated, "To attack anyone for their beliefs is simply un-Australian." It's hard to argue with that logic unless, of course, one happens to be a sock puppet of the hate-fueled variety.

In the wake of this shocking display of arson, the Victorian government is stepping in to assist. Premier Jacinta Allan pledged $100,000 AUD for the reconstruction of the Adass Israel Synagogue. It’s a nice gesture, albeit more ‘taking a knee’ than a ‘walk the walk’ moment. Still, it does show there is a government response to religious violence, even if it comes with the steep price tag that feels like a cover charge at a particularly rowdy bar.

Such an increase in antisemitic incidents has been reported by Jewish communities across Australia, particularly since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, 2023. It seems the political chaos overseas has managed to spill into Australian streets, sullying public discourse like a poorly made cup of instant coffee left unattended on a sunny day. People are indeed angry, but instead of throwing gasoline on a fire, it would be better if we could just sort out our differences over shared platters of hummus and a good discussion, rather than the liquid fuels of destruction.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria is stepping up, offering prayers and support for the victims of this unfortunate event. Community support is essential, especially in dark times, as it serves to light a way forward—ideally, using a more peaceful metaphorical candle than the actual arsonists employed. With words of solidarity taking center stage, it’s important that such community gestures turn to action before another tragedy unfolds amidst rising tensions.

As Robert Gregory, CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, stated, outrage swirls along with the smoke from the synagogue. He mentioned that the government had been warned about increasing antisemitism well before this incident. Perhaps a bell should have been tolled—if not a literal bell, then at least the gentle peal of a 'we need to talk' conversation amongst the powers that be.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray of Victoria Police termed the fire a 'deliberate and targeted' act, which is quite a label to slap on an event that most could agree is upsetting on every level. It’s as if investigators thought, ‘Well, it could have just been an unfortunate cooking accident, but let’s just assume ill intent here.’ Chase and stakeout squads probably don’t enjoy having to add ‘arsonist’ to their deviant roster, yet here we are.

Then there’s Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, who succinctly described the arson as 'disgusting violence.' That’s one way to describe a senseless act of destruction; others might simply label it as an exercise in sheer stupidity. While it’d be lovely to think we live in a world where such attacks don’t occur, it’s even more hopeful to believe that they can be addressed effectively.

The backdrop to these troubling events is a social climate increasingly filled with consternation between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups. It appears that somewhere in the heated discussions, common sense took an extended holiday, leaving us with events that suggest passion is outpacing reason. Fingers crossed that the community can shift from incendiary rhetoric to more civil discourse, as tackling each other with molotov cocktails isn't really a means of resolving disagreements.

As the smoke clears—literally and figuratively—the Adass Israel Synagogue stands ravaged, yet the resilience of the community remains unscathed. Melburnians may find themselves crafting new narratives to replace the flames of anger with the sparks of solidarity, reinforcing the idea that love not hate should fuel the fire of community spirit. And perhaps, just maybe, this episode could serve as a reminder that before reaching for the matches, one should always consider the power of a well-timed discussion on common ground.