Local leaders denounced the episodes, which both took place on Friday evening: arson at a synagogue and a disturbance at an Israeli eatery.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Sunday (July 6) called an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshipers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community, an “attack on Australia”.

Australia’s Victoria state will set up a anti-hate task force to help frame laws giving police more powers to tackle violent protests, as it probes a suspected arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue when worshippers were inside, it says.