Victoria Police say detectives are continuing to assess the suspect’s “intent and ideology” to determine whether the arson attack meets the threshold for terrorism.

He urged the undercover officers to acquire AR-style rifles, ammunition, and “some good hunting [knives] so we can slit their throats.

The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the incident as a “targeted terror attack,” citing “ideologically motivated violence” based on evidence and witness accounts.

Three masked individuals emerge, wielding an axe to breach the door, then ferry red jerry cans back and forth to douse the lobby in accelerant.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry tallied more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents in 2024, including physical assaults, attacks on synagogues, vandalism and graffiti.

“The caricature demonises Jewish Australians who support the Coalition. It’s offensive and unacceptable.”

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton revealed he had written to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in November 2023, urging a National Cabinet meeting to tackle the issue, only to be rebuffed.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman noted that racism remains entrenched across universities, impacting students and staff in both overt and systemic ways.

Witnesses reported seeing two suspects dressed in dark clothing, allegedly smashing windows and throwing Molotov cocktails

“One of the most difficult periods for Jewish Australians in our nation’s history.”