Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Police Hunt Person of Interest After Rabbi’s ‘Happy Chanukah’ Car Firebombed in Melbourne

The attack deepens fear in Jewish neighborhoods after the Bondi Beach massacre, prompting tougher actions on hate crimes and security.

Overview

  • Victoria Police said the St Kilda East blaze around 2:50 a.m. on Dec. 25 destroyed a parked car bearing a Hanukkah sign; the home’s occupants were evacuated and no injuries were reported.
  • Detectives have identified a person who may assist the investigation, are actively searching for them, and are reviewing CCTV as the incident is treated as a suspicious fire.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the suspected antisemitic attack and said federal authorities stand ready to assist, while community security groups reported heightened patrols.
  • Jewish leaders described a community on edge after the Bondi Beach terrorist shooting that killed 15 people and renewed calls for a national inquiry or royal commission.
  • In a separate case, Western Australian man Martin Glynn was charged after online praise for the Bondi gunmen, with police seizing firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and alleged bomb‑making notes; a judge denied him bail.