Australian Police Charge Man Over Alleged Arson Attack on Melbourne Synagogue

Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community.

- 

SYDNEY - Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community.

There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, who fled from the fire on the night of July 4. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the capital of the state of Victoria.

Australia has experienced several anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023.

Counter-terrorism detectives late on July 5 arrested the 34-year-old resident of Sydney, capital of neighboring New South Wales, charging him with offenses including criminal damage by fire, the police said.