Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, 5:10 am, MST
Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [translated from Hebrew]:
“The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of anti-Semitism. I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such anti-Semitic acts in the future.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel “to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible,” and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country.
“Anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitism.”
Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, 1:14 am, MST
Staement by Israel President Isaac Herzog:
“I spoke now with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and expressed my firm condemnation of the horrific arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Australia.
“Following the atrocities carried out by Hamas against Israel on and since October 7, 2023, there has been an intolerable wave of attacks on Jewish communities in Australia and around the world. I noted to the Prime Minister that this rise and the increasingly serious anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders. I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat anti-Semitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, 12:24 am, MST
Israel President Isaac Herzog:
“I spoke this morning, with President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, Jeremy Leibler, and expressed my deep sorrow and the support and solidarity of all the Israeli people for the Jewish community following the abhorrent anti-Semitic arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne.
“I was moved to hear how the entire community is standing united and strong in the face of this terrible attack and the wave of anti-Semitism they are experiencing.
“I call on leaders in Australia and around the world, to strongly condemn this vile act of terror and to combat the intolerable rise of anti-Jewish racism worldwide.”
