A 34-year-old man suspected of setting fire to an Australian synagogue as worshippers ate dinner inside has been arrested and charged, police said Sunday (July 6).
00:00A man has been arrested and charged after allegedly setting fire to a Melbourne synagogue
00:08while around 20 worshippers were inside observing Shabbat on Friday night.
00:13Police said the 34-year-old suspect ignited the front door of the synagogue as the group gathered for dinner.
00:19All worshippers managed to escape unharmed through a rear exit before firefighters brought the blaze under control.
00:26The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, including from the Prime Ministers of both Australia and Israel.
00:34These criminal acts against a Melbourne synagogue and an Israeli business are absolutely shocking.
00:41And as Lord Mayor, I condemn them in the strongest possible terms.
00:46Every Melbournian has the right to enjoy simple acts like enjoying a meal, visiting your place of worship without being subject to vile and dangerous attacks.
01:02Victoria Police have charged the suspect with multiple offenses, including reckless conduct endangering life.
01:09Acting Commander Zorka Dunstan said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect's actions were ideologically motivated.
01:19I'd like to make it very clear that we do recognize that these crimes are disgusting and abhorrent.
01:28But at this stage, we are not declaring this a terrorist incident.
01:32Authorities also confirmed they are investigating two other incidents involving Jewish residents on the same night,
01:39but have not yet established any connections between them.
