A man who allegedly firebombed a Melbourne synagogue has been identified, as a series of alleged anti-Semitic attacks at several other locations across the city draws international attention.
Angelo Loras, 34, from Toongabbie in NSW, was arrested in the city’s CBD on Saturday night, about 24 hours after the front doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were allegedly set alight – forcing 20 men, women and children to flee.
Loras has been charged multiple offences including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
The 34-year-old appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, where the court was told it was his first time in custody.
He was remanded until a hearing on July 22. Detectives will investigate the accused man’s intent and ideology to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police are also investigating another separate alleged act of anti-Semitism from Friday night, when protesters who splintered from a larger demonstration allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables, threw chairs and chanted ‘death to the IDF’ outside Israeli restaurant Miznon.
Hours later, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne’s northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.
On Sunday, the Ren Dao Vegetarian restaurant at Elsternwick opposite the Melbourne Holocaust Museum was also targetted with anti-Semitic graffiti, including a large stencil of Ned Kelly holding two guns spray-painted over a window.