Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Rabbi Shlomo Kohn visited the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 10, 2024, following its torching on December 6. – AFP

Australia's prime minister inspected the damaged remains of the synagogue on Tuesday, calling for national unity in response to the 'evil' arson attack. Counter-terrorism police are searching for three suspects believed to be behind the fire that destroyed the Adass Israel Synagogue in the early hours of Friday. The incident drew global condemnation, and a prominent Jewish human rights organization warned that Australia might no longer be a safe destination for Jewish travelers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Jewish leaders outside the synagogue on Tuesday, vowing to provide all necessary support for its reconstruction after 'this evil crime.' 'This arson attack is an act of terrorism. It was driven by anti-Semitism and fueled by hatred,' Albanese said, wearing a Jewish skullcap and standing alongside community leaders. 'We are a nation that must come together and unite.' Senior police officials have classified the attack as 'likely a terrorist incident,' prompting a coordinated investigation involving multiple government agencies.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish human rights group, criticized the Australian government for not doing enough to combat anti-Semitism. 'The Simon Wiesenthal Center is issuing a travel advisory for Jews worldwide considering visiting Australia, urging them to exercise extreme caution,' the organization stated in a letter to Australia's US ambassador. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Australian government of fostering 'anti-Israel sentiment.' 'This heinous act cannot be divorced from the anti-Israel sentiment coming from the Australian Labor government,' he said last week. His remarks came shortly after Australia supported a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an end to Israel's 'unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.'

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