Man charged over arson attack on Melbourne synagogue
Twenty people were inside the house of worship when an arsonist tried to set it ablaze.
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
A man has been charged after a Melbourne synagogue was set alight with more than a dozen people inside.
The 34-year-old man entered the grounds of the synagogue on Albert Street at 8pm on Friday, police said.
He then allegedly poured flammable liquid on the front door of the religious building and set it alight before fleeing.
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There were 20 people, including children, taking part in Shabbat, however everyone was able to evacuate safely.
Fire crews were able to extinguish the blaze, which was contained to the front entrance.
A 34-year-old man from Toongabbie, NSW, was arrested in the Melbourne CBD about 8.15pm yesterday.
He has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life and serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon.
He will appear before the Bail and Remand Court today.
Detectives will continue to probe the intent and ideology of the man charged to determine if the incident was an act of terrorism.
Police said detectives are yet to establish any links to two additional incidents on Friday night; a public order incident in Melbourne's Hardware Lane and an arson attack and criminal damage to a business on Para Road, Greensborough, but will continue to make enquiries.
Police investigate two separate incidents
In a separate incident, a group of 20 protestors stormed and trashed an Israeli restaurant on Hardware Street in Melbourne's CBD.
Witnesses say the group was chanting "death to the IDF" before they arrived at the restaurant called Miznon.
Diners were fearful as the group threw food and chairs at windows and knocked over tables.
One 28-year-old was arrested at the time and has been released, and a further investigation will follow to identify the alleged offenders.
Dunstan said the small group had peeled away from a larger protest in the CBD.
Victoria Police also revealed a third incident took place this morning, but they have not linked the three separate attacks - it is not clear whether the third attack was an antisemitic motivated attack.
In the third incident, a group of men entered the premises of a business on Para Road in Greensborough at 4.30am.
Three cars were torched and spray paint was used to vandalise vehicles and a wall of the business, which is known to manufacture parts for military planes.
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