Breakthrough in Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing
CCTV images of those believed responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing have been released, with links made to the arson attack on the Lux nightclub.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has linked the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne with the arson attack of South Yarra’s Lux nightclub.
On Thursday the JCTT, which includes Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, released images of those believed to be responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack, urging members of the public, and those with knowledge of the crime, to come forward.
According to the JCTT statement, CCTV shows a blue Golf sedan drive past the Adass Israel Synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance on 6 December 2024.
The footage shows three individuals dressed in hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the synagogue. At least two individuals commence pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance of the synagogue, before entering the building.
The individuals then make multiple trips to the Golf to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited.
The individuals fled the synagogue shortly after and drove away in the Golf towards the western suburbs.
The Golf is a stolen car that was also used in other offences before the synagogue arson, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and an arson and shooting that occurred in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue arson attack.
The Golf, which had cloned number plates, was seized by police last year. The nightclub and shooting are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically-motivated attacks.
According to The Herald Sun, on Thursday morning investigators made a wave of arrests and raids over the nightclub fire.
The pre-dawn raids resulted in the arrests of two men after three Pakenham properties were raided early on Thursday.
Two Pakenham men, aged 21 and 22, were arrested about 6am and will be interviewed by arson squad detectives today.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said the investigation into the synagogue arson attack remained a priority for the JCTT.
“Investigators have painstakingly poured over CCTV footage collected from more than 1400 locations to identify and track the actions of the alleged offenders,” Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
“We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues.
“I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment.
“It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now.
“This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO. Do not stay silent, come forward.
“Based on the information we have, we suspect some of the individuals involved are extremely violent.
“The JCTT is leaving no stone unturned in this investigation, and I want to thank the Jewish community for their patience and support.
“We also thank the Victorian community for their assistance, through the provision of CCTV footage, and information provided.”
Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said investigators have worked tirelessly over the past five months to progress the investigation.
“This was an attack that impacted Victorians’ feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and rightly concerned.
“Since the fire occurred, the investigation has been a significant priority for Victoria Police. This includes both our specialist JCTT investigators as well as experienced detectives working on a range of crime themes, such as our Arson and Explosives Squad investigators.
“One of the key areas of focus for investigators has been to determine who has planned this attack and why, it is about more than just identifying those who went there on the night to light this fire.
“Today has provided us with a breakthrough in the Lux nightclub arson investigation and we are now in a position to publicly confirm that we believe the vehicle used in that incident is the same as the synagogue fire, as well as many other incidents of significant criminality such as shootings and aggravated burglaries across Melbourne.
“There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key. We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information. Any small detail could be crucial.
“Now is also the time for people to speak up if they have information about who was involved with this offending and what their motivation was. We have said many times before; it is only luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. Fire is absolutely uncontrollable, and the sheer recklessness of this offending cannot be tolerated.
“I want to reassure Victorians, particularly those in the Jewish community, that we remain fully committed to finding those responsible for this act and holding them to account. I understand that it can be difficult when these matters take time, but again, make no mistake that this investigation remains a key priority for Victoria Police and the AFP and we are dedicated to bringing it to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.”
Adass Israel community member Chayim Klein said, “We’re very grateful to Victoria Police. We have faith in them that they will continue the investigation and find the perpetrators”.
“We’re very grateful for the tremendous work they’re putting in and the effort all the organisations are putting in towards it, and we’re very appreciative of the community support and support from the wider network”.
Klein said the police have been in touch prior to anything happening and any information that they have, they’ve been sharing with the Adass community.
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