The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has condemned the “disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards” after police reported a suspicious fire at a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night.
Victoria police alleged an unknown man entered the grounds of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Albert Street at about 8pm on Friday night and poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire.
Police alleged the man departed the scene on foot in a westerly direction along Albert Street.
There were an estimated 20 people inside the synagogue at the time of the incident, who were forced to evacuate through the rear of the building. There were no reported injuries.
Firefighters extinguished the fire, which was contained to the entrance.
Police have been speaking to those in attendance and were working to establish the exact circumstances, including the motivation behind the incident. An arson chemist would be attending the scene, and police were seeking CCTV footage.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
“There is absolutely no place in our society for antisemitic or hate-based behaviour,” Victoria police said.
The incident occurred on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest observed between Friday and Saturday evening.
Allan said the act was “disgraceful behaviour by a pack of cowards”.
“That this happened on Shabbat makes it all the more abhorrent,” she said in a statement.
“Antisemitism has no place in Victoria and I stand with the Jewish community in their fight against hate, violence and fear.”
The state Liberal MP David Southwick said in a social media post that the alleged perpetrators must be brought to justice.
after newsletter promotion
“My thoughts are with every member of the Jewish community affected by these vile attacks,” he said.
“We cannot let these haters hijack our streets, our city, or our state. We must stand united against antisemitic violence.”
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said those responsible must face the full force of the law.
“These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community and clear evidence that the antisemitism crisis is not only continuing, but getting worse,” he said.
“We urge all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes.”
