00:00A solemn Sabbath for Melbourne's Jewish community as it comes to terms with a fire attack on
00:08a local synagogue.
00:09I feel especially just shaken that this little corner which is sort of my safe place doesn't
00:16feel safe.
00:17In the early hours of Friday morning, the Adas Israel Synagogue in Ripon Lee was set
00:22alight.
00:23Masked men were seen fleeing the building after being disturbed by a worshipper.
00:28No one was seriously injured, but the damage is extensive.
00:32Rabbi Gabi Koltman says waking to the news of the firebombing left him reeling.
00:37It was horrific.
00:38I couldn't believe it.
00:40The Israeli Prime Minister has tried to link the attack to Australia's UN vote in favour
00:45of ending Israel's quote, unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory.
00:51Mr Netanyahu called the firebombing an abhorrent act of anti-Semitism, saying it's impossible
00:58to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor
01:03government in Australia.
01:05Relations between Australia and Israel have never been at a lower ebb than they are today
01:09and it is because of the behaviour of the Albanian government.
01:12The first thing the Prime Minister needs to do is he and his government need to declare
01:18yesterday's attack at the Adas Synagogue a terrorist event.
01:23The Prime Minister today leaving his MPs to defend Australia's position.
01:28Ever since the October 7 attacks, the horrific October 7 attacks, the Albanese government
01:35has taken a range of strong actions to stand against anti-Semitism and to stamp it out
01:41from our community.
01:42I will point out that our Prime Minister spoke with the Israeli President, President Herzog,
01:47yesterday and they had a very productive discussion about the shared values we have
01:54to combat this appalling rise in anti-Semitism.
01:57Late this afternoon, Anthony Albanese put out his own statement, rejecting the link
02:02to the UN vote, saying 157 countries voted for that resolution, including four of the
02:08Five Eyes partners.
02:10The opposition wants the arson declared a terrorist attack and says it's yet to receive
02:15a requested briefing from the Australian Federal Police.
02:18While the political fallout continues, the community remains steadfast.
02:23We will not cower, we will continue to gather in our synagogues, we will continue to live
02:29proud Jewish lives.
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