Rabbi’s car set alight on Christmas morning

“Eleven days ago, we witnessed the worst terrorist attack in Australian history against the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach,” he said.

“Bondi Beach is now soaked with Jewish blood. Are we waiting here in Melbourne? In the heart of the Jewish community? Cars being firebombed, children being woken up… having to leave the safety and comfort of their beds because their property has been firebombed?”

Naomi Levin, of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, said: “This is a continuation of the daily fear that the Jewish community has had to live with for the last two years, and even more so after Bondi.”

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said it was a miracle no one was killed in Thursday’s attack.

“If it’s not the mass murder of 15 people, it’s a car bomb,” he said.

“We shouldn’t confuse luck with safety. Things are out of control in this city and this is the new normal for Jews in Australia, and that’s what happens when hate is allowed to spread. It doesn’t go away. It looks for another way out.”

Liberal MP David Southwick described the incident as an attack on the Jewish community and all Australians, adding that the victims were still committing the firebombing.

“The community is still suffering from the Bondi attack and this is yet another attack on the Jewish community,” Southwick, who is Jewish, told reporters at the scene.

“I have spoken with the police and I believe they have identified the individual and an arrest will be made soon… No one needs to have to deal with this when we wake up on Christmas Day celebrating with family, friends and loved ones.”

Southwick said Premier Jacinta Allan needed to recall parliament urgently to “ensure there is decisive action, results and leadership now” and said Melbourne Jews felt Labor had failed them.

Rabbi Kaltmann said the federal and state governments should immediately enact promised laws to combat antisemitism.

“These need to be implemented immediately. Because Jewish children are not safe while Jewish schools are under attack, Jewish artists are under attack, sleeping Jewish children are being evacuated because their cars and property are firebombed.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians must root out the evil of antisemitism.

Asked about Thursday’s firebombing, Albanese said: “It is impossible to understand. What kind of evil ideology and ideas could motivate someone at a time like this?” [to do that]?

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“Christmas is a time of hope. What we need is hope instead of fear. Courage against cowardice, kindness against violence, and unity against antisemitism and hatred.”

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