'Utter disgrace': leaders decry synagogue arson attack

REACTION TO THE MELBOURNE SYNAGOGUE ATTACK:

* "I have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism. It has absolutely no place in Australia. This violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is an outrage. By definition, this is an act of hate, and it's something that should not occur in Australia or anywhere else." - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

* "I want to pretend that this wasn't expected or that it couldn't be predicted, but I can't do that to the Australian people. We have seen the rise of anti-Semitism in our community since October 7 of last year in an unprecedented way." - Opposition Leader Peter Dutton

* "We believe it was deliberate. We believe it was targeted. What we don't know is why and we will get to the why. We will do everything we can to bring these individuals before the courts." - Victoria Police Detective Inspector Chris Murray

* "As a community leader I can tell you that people are anxious, they're scared, they're frightened. (To the attackers): you are just pure, utter anti-Semites. You are a disgrace. What you have done is un-Australian. It's not what we do as Victorians and your ideology and your hate for the other is despicable." - Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann

* "I heard a big bang on the door with a sledgehammer. And I stopped for a second, and then suddenly heard another bang on the glass, and I saw glass fling. So I knew someone was out there trying to break in." - Yumi Friedman, founder of Yumi's dips and eyewitness to the attack

* "The Adass Israel Synagogue was built by Holocaust survivors. Like any place of worship in this state, it should be a refuge - a place of peace, prayer and safety. Every available resource will be deployed to find these criminals who tried to tear a community apart." - Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan

* "Amidst the worst levels of anti-Semitism in living memory, the community needs clear answers as soon as possible. Nothing justifies the destruction of a place of worship and those responsible should face the full force of the law." - Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto and deputy opposition leader David Southwick

* "Two weeks ago, Jewish cars were firebombed and Jewish homes graffitied in Woollahra. Now, an attempt has been made to burn Jews alive in their synagogue. All lines have been crossed and it is only through good fortune that no one has been injured more seriously." - David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies

* "On this day 86 years ago, Yorta Yorta elder William Cooper led a march in Melbourne to protest Kristallnacht; the Night of Broken Glass. On this night of violence, synagogues and Jewish businesses were set alight by the Nazis and their collaborators. Cooper stood up 86 years ago and today we reiterate that violence, racism and hate in any form has no place in Australia." - Melbourne Holocaust Museum co-presidents Suzanne Hampel and Michael Debinski

* "Behind us is the centre of Jewish life, of learning and spirituality. I've been inside many times, and to see it burnt today is devastating. The attack was extreme and extremely dangerous. The rise in anti-Semitism in Australia is shocking, and it needs to stop." - Josh Burns, local federal Member for Macnamara

* "We need to see decisive action to punish the perpetrators of the crimes that we all know happened here this morning. Otherwise, I fear they'll continue to be involved and this will get worse, and next time someone will get hurt." - opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson

* "I condemn unequivocally the Melbourne synagogue attack. The targeting of a place of worship is an act of hate. Violence and anti-Semitism have no place in Australia." - Foreign Minister Penny Wong

* "Anti-Semitism is not a relic of the past, but a growing threat that demands immediate actions. 'Never again' has become a hollow promise as the very evils it sought to prevent are happening once more." - Israel's Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon

* "Having covered attacks on synagogues during my time as a foreign correspondent, this kind of attack has been at the core of my concern about social cohesion over the last year." - Zoe Daniel, independent federal MP for nearby seat of Goldstein

* "We stand in solidarity with our Jewish friends both in Sydney and around the country. Just two weeks ago we had that disgusting night of vandalism in Woollahra. I have spoken to Jewish community leaders this morning and I know NSW Police have also been in contact." - NSW Premier Chris Minns