Arson at aerospace company
The video instructs viewers on how to commit arson on cars, and declares 'Death to Israel, death to Australia, death to America.'
Menacing unverified videos from an anonymous group claiming responsibility for an arson attack on three cars at aerospace company Lovitt Technologies Australia (LTA) on July 5 are circulating on social media.
The attack on LTA occurred the same night that a man attempted to light East Melbourne Synagogue on fire and Israeli restaurant Miznon was targeted by anti-Israel protesters. Police said that no links had been found between these incidents.
The first video posted on Monday showed a masked person in black and in an altered voice threatens LTA telling it to “stop arming Israel or else”.
The speaker claims LTA was targeted for reasons including supplying parts to make F-35 fighter jets and “Israeli weapons company” Elbit systems. The person warned, “If you continue making weapons or components of any kind there will be consequences. Consider this a warning.”
The masked person threatened violence against the company’s workers, saying “every worker in this supply chain is complicit” and “We will decide your fate as you have decided the fate of millions. For the past few months, we have been closely watching you. We have your addresses. All the information we have about you will be distributed to our underground networks. Stop arming Israel or else.”
The video instructs viewers on how to commit arson on cars, and declares “Death to Israel, death to Australia, death to America.”
A second video posted on Tuesday showed a fire being lit under a car, with the caption “STOP ARMING ‘ISRAEL’ OR ELSE”, while the chant “Death, death to the IDF” is played on repeat.
The attack on LTA is being investigated by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which also includes the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin stated, “Seeing a group resembling an Al Qaeda terror cell openly pledging to carry out criminal acts is chilling and disturbing.
“It doesn’t matter that they think they are doing something righteous – Islamists terrorists and Neo-Nazis think that too. What matters is that we remain a country of laws and not allow bands of zealots to decide what is a legitimate target for violence and criminal acts.
“Today it is a business they oppose and tomorrow it will be individuals, politicians, journalists or religious institutions they deem impure. We expect this incident to be investigated and for those responsible to be met with the law.”