Nick Grimm: But first, Jewish Australians are in shock today after the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne. The early morning attack was carried out while a handful of people were inside the Ripponlea building and police are now searching for two men believed to be responsible. It spurred fears that anti-Semitism is on the rise in the wake of a string of incidents since the war in the Middle East escalated just over a year ago. The federal opposition is blaming the prime minister for doing too little to stop anti-semitism, while the Victorian premier also came under fire during a press conference near the synagogue this morning. We'll bring you the political fallout shortly, but our coverage begins with this report from Kathleen O'Connor, who has been at the scene of the attack.
Kathleen O'Connor: The smell of smoke still lingers in the air many hours after the attack and the synagogue still standing, but the inside destroyed. The Jewish community has been gathering outside Adass Israel's synagogue since four o'clock this morning, watching as detectives try and find out how and why anyone would set their peaceful place of prayer on fire.
Yumi Friedman: This does break my heart in so many ways because we're open to everyone. We're open to everyone. We're so nice to everyone. Nothing fazes us and then this happens. It makes no sense.
Kathleen O'Connor: Shards of glass still lay on the footpath outside the synagogue, shattered by the intense heat. Police say two or more people wearing masks poured accelerant in and around the building, using a broom before lighting it on fire. At the time, Yumi Friedman and another person were inside when they heard a loud bang. They escaped through a back door, but not before Mr. Friedman suffered burns to his hands.
Yumi Friedman: With like a sledgehammer on the door and I got a shock and a second later there was a window and I saw glass flying. So I knew that someone was trying to break in there and I raced out through the hall, back into the lane. I got a fish shop in the back of the lane. So I went into the fish shop. Then I realised I left my phone inside. I wasn't going to go back inside. I radioed in that I'm in trouble, I need backup. I went into the shop. I didn't want to ring from the front because I was scared they'll be coming around. They'll see the lights were on. So I went in the back and then one of my girls had a phone there. So I rang the police.
Kathleen O'Connor: There were fears that precious Torah scrolls had been destroyed in the fire, but they have now been retrieved. Other precious items were carried out by first responders and into the arms of Jewish community members. Some so happy, they broke down into tears. The attack is something they just can't understand.
Opinion: I thought Australia is a very safe place for everyone, but no, this is not good. Very extreme, violent against Jews here. Nah, it's not good.
Kathleen O'Connor: Small business owners also in disbelief. They didn't want to be recorded, but told the ABC they're angry. Solomon isn't a member of this synagogue, but is a member of another one nearby. He didn't want us to use his last name.
Opinion: Look I'm not surprised. There's a lot of anti-Semitic people in the community. In some way, the war, unfortunately, it's a terrible thing, but in some way, a lot of good things have come of it. So we've been able to see who our enemies are. And our enemies are cowards who put on masks in the middle of the night. And they go to places of worship where old men are sitting there praying for their loved ones who may have been deceased. So if that's the best they've got, I say, bring it on. I have many friends, both Jewish and also Arab, Muslims as well. Look, we love our brothers, our Muslim brothers, but I don't believe they're responsible for this. I think there's a lot of anti-Semitic people in the community who don't want to show their face. They're cowards.
Kathleen O'Connor: Locals have been visiting the scene all day, some laying flowers and praying for those injured.
Opinion: When I heard about this this morning, I felt very angry and enraged that this had happened.
Kathleen O'Connor: What is it about this incident that scares you?
Opinion: It doesn't scare me. It doesn't scare me at all. Because I think what we have to do, actually, is be more proactive in standing up for being Jewish and having a part of society. We've got to say we're not afraid and we can wear our Star of Davids around our neck. You know, we can put a flag up on our house if we want to, to show that we're not afraid. We shouldn't be afraid.
Kathleen O'Connor: Many Jewish people here say the government is not doing enough to make sure everyone feels safe. Police are yet to make any arrests, but the community here says it's not just law enforcement they're looking to for help.
Opinion: The government has allowed this to happen because of their backflip on the UN resolution. I think it's given a free reign to the people that don't like Jews and that are anti-Semitic. So that's what we have to put up with now.
Nick Grimm: A member of the Melbourne Jewish community there speaking with Kathleen O'Connor.