As the synagogue's congregation spent the day coming to terms with the arson attack politicians from across the political divide vowed to stand with the Jewish people. But a visit from Victoria’s premier highlighted the ongoing tensions within the community.
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00:00Victoria's Premier came to condemn an act of violence, but her presence has revealed
00:09tensions in the community.
00:11The Jewish community are now under real threat.
00:15Have you lost control, yes or no?
00:17Jacinta Allen met with leaders at the Adas Israel Synagogue, promising $100,000 for the
00:22rebuild and extra police patrols around Melbourne's Jewish neighbourhoods.
00:27They'll be around synagogues, they'll be around important places for the Jewish community.
00:31The Premier's press conference was cut short, but condemnation of the attack has continued
00:36across the country.
00:37To see the firebombing of a synagogue, a place of worship, is something that is not welcome
00:44and has no place in our country whatsoever.
00:47While police are yet to determine the motive behind this attack, the community here is
00:51familiar with the violence associated with anti-Semitism.
00:55The Adas Israel congregation was founded by survivors of the Holocaust.
01:00Anti-Semitism is not a relic of the past, but a growing threat that demands immediate
01:06actions, not empty words.
01:09Australia's Jewish community has reported increasing rates of anti-Semitism since October
01:147.
01:15None of the Jewish community is surprised.
01:17We've known this has been coming.
01:19It's incredibly traumatic what's been happening, not just for the people of this synagogue,
01:24but for the broader Jewish community.
01:26For those gathering for Friday night prayers in synagogues around the country, it will
01:30be a somber Shabbat Eve.