Anthony Albanese has defended his handling of the suspected terror attack where a synagogue was firebombed after he was heckled during a visit.
The Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s southeast, was set alight in a pre-dawn attack with people inside on Friday.
The prime minister said he was briefed the morning after the arson by federal police, responded on radio and through a statement, spoke to local Jewish community leaders as well as the local MP.
The government had been working behind the scenes in the days following to ensure security funding was available for the community, he said.
“Australians are respectful people. Australians want to live peacefully, side by side, and Australians reject this abhorrent criminal behaviour,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
“This is not a political act. This does not change anything that is occurring on the ground in the Middle East. This is an attack against their fellow Australians.”
Mr Albanese visited the synagogue on Tuesday, where he promised to support its rebuild, but was jeered by some angry with his handling of the situation.
As he was leaving a woman called out: “Your words are cheap and late” and “You are late. You let this happen, buddy”.
Another asked if he was “going to the Australian Open” referring to Mr Albanese playing tennis on the weekend.
Government minister Clare O’Neil, who visited the site later that afternoon and spoke to community members, said that reaction wasn’t universal and some hecklers weren’t locals.
“People were grateful that the prime minister was there, they were pleased to have him there and of course to see him make that commitment to help rebuild the synagogue,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program.
“I’m sure there were angry and upset people there but I don’t think that was the universal experience of having the PM there.”
The congregation of the Adass Israel Synagogue have vowed to rebuild after an arson attack. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)
Yumi Rosenbaum, whose family have been in its congregation for three generations, said community members had already made attempts to practise their faith since the attack.
“We’re resilient people, we’re not the type to get too down and we don’t give up easily,” he told AAP.
“There are other synagogues in town, you can always go to different synagogues, but we want to have our synagogue as well.”
Mr Rosenbaum said Adass Israel members had been allowed to use a nearby school’s synagogue.
A full reconstruction of the destroyed synagogue could take several years despite an outpouring of community donations and government funding.
Damage from a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue. (Yumi Rosenbaum/AAP PHOTOS)
Mr Albanese spoke to Jewish community leaders after inspecting the extent of the damage inside the synagogue.
“This arson attack is an act of terrorism that was fuelled by anti-Semitism and it was stoked by hatred,” he said.
He committed his government to provide support to rebuild the synagogue, will provide funding for the restoration of the salvageable scrolls, and the replacement of those that are beyond repair.
Victoria’s government announced that 15 community organisations would receive $950,000 in security funding.
Grants of up to $200,000 were available to Jewish community organisations to support the purchase, installation or improvement of security equipment at community facilities.
Floral tributes were laid at the Adass Israel Synagogue after the firebombing. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Those set for the boost include Yeshivah shule in St Kilda East, St Kilda shule, South Caulfield shule and Maccabi Victoria.
Three people are on the run following the arson after it was declared a terror attack on Monday.
Terrorism investigators from Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and spy agency ASIO are in charge of the probe.