PM visits firebombed synagogue
'He saw the extent of the devastation and was explained the significance of the handwritten Torahs and the community's history as founded by Holocaust survivors'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne on Tuesday, surveying the damage from Friday’s firebombing and meeting with community members.
Standing next to the ruins, Albanese unequivocally condemned the attack, declaring, “This arson attack is an act of terrorism, it was fuelled by antisemitism, and it was stoked by hatred.”
The Prime Minister committed his government to supporting the synagogue’s restoration, pledging to “provide whatever support is necessary financially to make sure that those who perpetrated this evil crime do not receive any benefit”.
“We’re a country that needs to come together and unite,” Albanese said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
Upon leaving the synagogue, Albanese encountered some hostile protesters, but was met with strong support from Adass community members who quickly silenced the hecklers with calls of “Sha” [“Quiet” in Yiddish].
Daniel Aghion, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the Prime Minister’s visit as deeply impactful.
“The Prime Minister was quite touched. In fact, I’d say marked,” Aghion said.
“He saw the extent of the devastation and was explained the significance of the handwritten Torahs and the community’s history as founded by Holocaust survivors.”
Aghion said that the cat-calling was not representative of the Adass community, noting that they “treated him as a guest” and that he was “genuinely interested in what they had to say”.
“I think the Prime Minister’s intent is genuine. Obviously he will be judged by his actions, not his words, but I think he understands what the Jewish community is facing” Aghion said.
The ECAJ leader believes this is an Australian issue, not just a Jewish one.
The Prime Minister personally inspected the damage, climbing into the fire-damaged ruins to fully understand the extent of the destruction.
Aghion noted that Albanese was willing to get “his suit quite dirty” to show solidarity with the community.
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