Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday labeled as “cowardly” an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

Police are searching for a man who set the front door of the building ablaze on Friday night as around 20 people ate dinner inside.

Australia is facing a growing wave of antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza war started in late 2023.

In a statement, the prime minister said: “Last night’s arson attack on the synagogue in east Melbourne is cowardly, is an act of violence and antisemitism, and has no place in Australian society.”

Albanese said he hoped the perpetrator would be swiftly brought to justice and “that he faces the full force of the law, and anyone involved in this attack faces the full force of the law.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday labeled as “cowardly” an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

Police are searching for a man who set the front door of the building ablaze on Friday night as around 20 people ate dinner inside.

Australia is facing a growing wave of antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza war started in late 2023.

In a statement, the prime minister said: “Last night’s arson attack on the synagogue in east Melbourne is cowardly, is an act of violence and antisemitism, and has no place in Australian society.”

Albanese said he hoped the perpetrator would be swiftly brought to justice and “that he faces the full force of the law, and anyone involved in this attack faces the full force of the law.