A firebombing at a Melbourne synagogue fulfils a definition of terrorism, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes, but official authorities are yet to label the incident as a terrorist attack.
On Sunday, Albanese continued to condemn and said he personally believed it constituted an act of terror.
"There is a technical process that is agreed in the protocols for designating an event as a terrorist act — that meeting is taking place tomorrow," he told reporters in Perth on Sunday morning.
"But if you want my personal view: quite clearly, terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community. The atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community. Therefore, from my personal perspective, it certainly fulfils that definition of terrorism."
The incident has not officially been designated as a terror incident, but Albanese said Victorian Police would meet with their federal counterparts on Monday, where they are expected to come to a decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the Melbourne synagogue attack was linked to urging Israel to "end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible".
Opposition leader Peter Dutton described the incident as a "national disgrace" and has repeatedly labelled the firebombing as a terrorist attack.
"The prime minister's deliberate decision to see political advantage ... on this issue and to place to a domestic audience of Greens voters has been deplorable and one of the worst things I've ever seen in public life," he told Sky News on Sunday.
"[The firebombing] is a tragedy and it's a national disgrace that never should have happened, and nobody should be surprised by the fact it happened — which is part of the tragedy."
"We've now got armed guards at Jewish schools, places of gathering ... There's a security presence there that just doesn't have any place in our society."
Cabinet minister Murray Watt said the firebombing was an "absolutely horrific antisemitic attack" that all Australians, especially political leaders, should be united on.
Watt defended the government's record, noting it had legislated a ban on the Nazi salute and other hate symbols, and passed anti-doxxing laws — which the Coalition tried to vote down claiming it was mixed with unrelated elements it couldn't support.
He criticised the Opposition leader and urged him not to use the incident to try to score political points.
"Peter Dutton chooses to try to politicise it and divide our community, rather than try to bring us together," he said.
People bring floral tribute at the scene of a fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Sunday. Two suspected arsonists remain at large after a synagogue was badly damaged in a targeted firebombing while congregants were inside. Source: AAP / Diego Fedele
Two of its three buildings were gutted and two congregants who were inside at the time preparing for morning prayers were evacuated, one suffering minor injuries.
Police have confirmed they are also investigating reports of a bullet found on a footpath near the Synagogue on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the Adass Israel synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's sotuh at 4am on Friday after a large blaze engulfed the building. Police say it was deliberately lit. Source: SBS News
Labor MP Josh Burns spoke at the vigil and told the crowd antisemitism should have "never gotten to this point" in Australia.
"I know this community has been crying for months and months, including after my office was attacked that it should have never gotten to this point," he said.
"But it has and now we must face it with strength, with courage and determination because hate will not win."
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed increased police patrols to bolster safety into the coming week and pledged $100,000 towards rebuilding.
The incident has meanwhile prompted NSW to consider new laws to better protect religious freedoms and regulate protests outside religious institutions.
A pro-Palestine rally was planned outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne CBD on Sunday that will end with a march through the CBD.
On Sunday, the federal government revealed it would provide an extra $32.5 million in funding over the next 18 months to improve measures to protect the Jewish community, after an initial round of support in October 2023.
With additional reporting by Australian Associated Press
