Australia decided to break away from its previous practice of abstaining on such votes to align with 156 other UN countries in urging for “Israel to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as quickly as possible.”
On a different note, the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea was tragically burnt down by a fire that was started around 4:10 am on Friday. Witnesses reported seeing individuals inside the building pouring a flammable liquid on the floor before igniting it.
Synagogue board member Benjamin Klein said heightened threats and abuse extended back several months.
“There’s been a fair bit of screaming and calling and people coming past. The community has been on edge over the last couple of months,” he said.
“It’s absolutely shocking, I didn’t think this would happen to us in Melbourne.”
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Police have said they are working with the Jewish community in Melbourne to provide support, and have put extra patrols in place.
The Adass Israel synagogue was built by family members of Holocaust survivors more than 70 years ago.
An online fundraiser to rebuild it has already raised more than $130,000.
