Arsonist sets fire to door at Australian synagogue with worshippers inside

An arsonist set fire to the front doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Friday night, forcing about 20 worshippers to flee safely through a rear exit. Police say the fire was quickly contained, with damage limited to the entrance. The suspect fled on foot and has not been identified. The attack comes seven months after another Melbourne synagogue was destroyed by arson. Victoria’s premier condemned the act as antisemitic hate, while police called it a serious crime under investigation by the Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit, though it has not been classified as terrorism, CBS News has reported. The synagogue’s president urged Australians to stand in solidarity against such attacks.