Angelo Loras, 35, had pleaded guilty to arson and recklessly placing people at risk of death on July 4 when he doused the front door of the East Melbourne Synagogue with flammable liquid and ignited it.
A man who set fire to a Melbourne synagogue while worshippers were inside was motivated by mental illness rather than antisemitism, an Australian magistrate said on Monday. Angelo Loras, 35, had pleaded guilty to arson and recklessly placing people at risk of death on July 4 when he doused the front door of the East Melbourne Synagogue with flammable liquid and ignited it.
Around 20 worshippers were inside sharing a Shabbat meal, but no one was injured. Reports of antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents have risen sharply across Australia since the war between Israel and Hamas began in 2023. Government leaders suspected the attack on the synagogue, which is also known as the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, was a hate crime. The morning after the fire, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement saying the arson attack was “cowardly, is an act of violence and antisemitism, and has no place in Australian society.” But Magistrate Malcolm Thomas ruled on Monday that Loras was not motivated by antisemitism but had been in the grip of a terrifying delusion stemming from his failure to take medication for schizophrenia. Thomas sentenced Loras to four months' imprisonment, which is less than the 138 days he had already spent in custody. While Loras was eligible for release on Monday, he was also ordered to continue medical treatment for schizophrenia for 20 months and to perform unpaid work. The Australian government has blamed Iran for an earlier arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, which security officers describe as an antisemitic crime aimed at undermining Australian social cohesion. Australian spy agencies accuse Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards of organizing arson attacks on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in December last year and on a Sydney kosher food business two months earlier. Iran has denied any involvement. Both buildings were extensively damaged. Loras, who was arrested two days after his arson attack, told police he thought the synagogue was a residential address. Thomas advised the Jewish congregation not to apply for a restitution order against Loras for the 54,000 Australian dollars in damage he caused because Loras had been homeless for an extended period. Loras is a former Sydney-based forklift driver who had no previous criminal record. His arson attack was one of three suspected antisemitic incidents across Melbourne the weekend of July 4 to July 6. Around 20 masked protesters harassed diners at an Israeli-owned restaurant on July 5. A window was cracked, tables were flipped and chairs thrown as protesters chanted “Death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. Police also investigated the spray-painting of a Melbourne business and an arson attack on three vehicles attached to that business before dawn on July 6. Police said they found antisemitic “inferences” at the scene, without elaborating. McGuirk writes for the Associated Press.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan reveals Brandon Aiyuk’s peculiar plight came via July flashpointCoach Kyle Shanahan shed light on the 49ers voiding of Brandon Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees back in July but did not specify why nor rule out a comeback this season or next.
Read more »
Patrick Dempsey Stars in 'Memory of a Killer'; Named Sexiest Man AlivePeople magazine named Patrick Dempsey as its Sexiest Man Alive, and the trailer for FOX's 'Memory of a Killer' has been released, starring Dempsey as a hitman with early-onset Alzheimer's. The series follows Angelo Doyle (Dempsey), a hitman who is unfortunately losing his memory. Angelo’s memory begins to fade as a result of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Dutch (Imperioli), a chef whose restaurant is a front for a criminal operation, joins his longtime friend Angelo to help protect Angelo’s family from danger.
Read more »
Australian Dollar declines ahead of looming complete monthly CPIThe Australian Dollar (AUD) edges lower against the US Dollar (USD) on Monday ahead of the looming key inflation update this week.
Read more »
Australian magistrate rules synagogue arsonist was motivated by mental illness, not antisemitismAn Australian magistrate says a man who set fire to a Melbourne synagogue door while worshippers were inside was motivated by mental illness rather than antisemitism. Angelo Loras had pleaded guilty to arson and recklessly placing people at risk of death on July 4. Around 20 worshippers were inside but no one was injured.
Read more »
Australian far-right Senator Pauline Hanson slammed for wearing burqa to parliament to demand banAnti-immigration party senator Pauline Hanson said of her protest: 'If they don't want me wearing it — ban the burqa.'
Read more »
Melbourne Synagogue Arson Not Antisemitic Magistrate Rules Citing Mental IllnessAn Australian magistrate ruled that the arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue was motivated by mental illness not antisemitism. The perpetrator Angelo Loras was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to continue medical treatment for schizophrenia.
Read more »