Firebombing of Jewish Synagogue Declared a ‘Terrorist Incident’

The fire-bombing of a Melbourne synagogue has prompted a terrorism designation from the Australian Government.

Messages and flowers are seen attached to the fence at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea in Australia on Dec. 9, 2024. Martin Keep/AFP via Getty Images

Victorian Police and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have declared the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue an act of terror.

“This is now a terrorism investigation,” said AFP Deputy Commissioner for National Security Krissy Barrett during a joint press conference on Dec. 9 attended by the prime minister, attorney-general, and heads of the country’s law enforcement.