Melbourne synagogue fire being investigated by AFP and counter-terrorism police

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Victoria's premier says counter terrorism units from Victoria police and the AFP are at the centre of the investigation into a fire at a Melbourne synagogue - but Jacinta Allan stopped short of calling the incident a terrorist act.

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00:00Premier Jacinta Allen said that she spoke with Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane

00:06Patton this morning and he said that progress is being made into this investigation.

00:11There are three suspects they're looking for who've allegedly set fire to the Adas Israel

00:18Synagogue in Riponlee in Melbourne South East on Friday morning.

00:22There was also the discovery of a bullet yesterday that is also forming part of the police investigation.

00:29Now the Commissioner told the Premier there'll be a meeting of the counter-terrorism units

00:33from both Victoria Police and the Federal Police tomorrow morning as they try to look

00:38into exactly what happened and who is responsible.

00:42Take a listen to what the Premier had to say a little earlier today.

00:45I can understand well the Victorian community are very, are wanting to hear about the progress

00:52of this investigation because an attack on a synagogue, an attack on a place of worship

00:57is an attack on our way of life here in Victoria.

01:01We strongly condemn it and also support the work that Victoria Police on their investigation.

01:10And Sian, at the same time we've seen the local Jewish community gathering in a show

01:14of unity.

01:15What's happening there now?

01:16Well there's a vigil here at Riponlee Park, so the same suburb where the synagogue was

01:23firebombed just 48 hours ago.

01:26It's a real show of unity and support.

01:28There are local, state and federal politicians here and they're saying that they're really

01:33wanting to spread a message of peace.

01:35They say it's time to end the hate but they do feel very unsafe.

01:40That is what they're saying here this morning.

01:42Of course the synagogue attack has created a political fight.

01:47There have been criticisms from the opposition and even from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

01:52Netanyahu who has blamed the Albanese government's policies for the synagogue bombing.

01:57Now we're expecting to hear from the Prime Minister later today but here it is more a

02:01message of coming together, of solidarity, unity and support for the Jewish community.

02:07Hundreds of people gathering to say it's time to end the hate and bring the hostages home.

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