Adass Israel synagogue arson, Melbourne
Shortly after 4am on Friday 6 December 2024, a fire was deliberately lit at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's south-east, and worshippers inside for early prayers had to flee (ABC). One person was injured (BBC). CCTV released by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) shows a blue VW Golf parking outside the main entrance. Three masked people get out, damage the entrance with an axe, pour liquid from red jerry cans inside and set it alight. Police say the Golf was a stolen car with cloned plates that had been used in other crimes (AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO joint release).
On 9 December 2024, the matter was handed to the JCTT, made up of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO. AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said: "This is now a terrorism investigation." The JCTT said the attack was likely politically motivated (ABC; AFP). Under Operation Hilfield, the JCTT charged a Melton South man, 20, on 16 July 2025 over the alleged theft of the car. It charged a Werribee man, 21, on 30 July 2025 and a Meadow Heights man, 20, on 21 August 2025. A third alleged arsonist, an Airport West man aged 20, was charged on 19 June 2026. All three alleged arsonists face arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). No terrorism charge is listed in the AFP release. The matters are before the courts.
On 26 August 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said ASIO assessed that the Iranian Government was behind the synagogue attack and the attack on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney. Iran's ambassador and three other Iranian diplomats were told they would be expelled. Australia suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran, and the government said it would legislate to list the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. In June 2026, AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said the investigation "does have international connections" (ABC).
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