Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed that those behind an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue will face the “full force of the law,” as authorities investigate a possible link to another incident targeting a Jewish-owned restaurant the same night.

Police said a man poured flammable liquid on the front door of the synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night before setting it on fire. Around 20 people were inside the building for dinner but were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.

Investigators are working to determine if the attack is connected to a violent incident at Miznon restaurant in Melbourne’s central business district, where rioters broke in, hurled furniture and chanted anti-Israel slogans including “death to the IDF.” Some of the assailants were arrested at the scene.

The twin attacks come amid a wave of antisemitic incidents across Australia, which have intensified since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. The federal government has responded by strengthening laws on hate crimes and appointing a special envoy to lead efforts against antisemitism.

“Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” Prime Minister Albanese said in a statement.

“Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law and my government will provide all necessary support toward this effort.”

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the incidents as a disturbing escalation.

“These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community,” he said.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the attacks, urging Canberra to intensify its response. “There have been too many antisemitic attacks in Australia,” he said. “The Australian government must do more to fight this toxic disease.”

The Middle East conflict has stirred deep political tensions in Australia, prompting large protests from both Jewish and Muslim groups. The fallout has contributed to a rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents across the country.

The violence in Gaza followed the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that, according to Gaza’s health ministry, has killed at least 57,268 people.