Australian authorities have released images of suspects involved in the arson attack on the Adass Yisroel Shul in December, causing devastating damage.

The attack took place on the night of December 6, when three masked individuals arrived in a stolen blue 2020 Volkswagen Golf sedan, parked outside the shul, and violently breached its entrance with an axe. They then doused the interior with accelerants from red jerry cans and set the building aflame, fleeing the scene moments later.

The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT)—which includes Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)—said the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism and is a top national security priority.

Video surveillance shows the suspects returning repeatedly to the car to retrieve more fuel before igniting the blaze. Miraculously, the fire did not result in any injuries.

“This is not a routine crime,” said AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt. “This was an attack on a house of worship, and by extension, on the very fabric of our multicultural society. Let me be clear: the penalty for terrorism in Australia is life imprisonment.”

The vehicle used in the attack was later recovered by police and is also linked to a string of other violent crimes, including the arson of Lux Nightclub in South Yarra and a shooting in Bundoora on the same night. While those incidents are not believed to be motivated by antisemitism, the use of the same vehicle suggests a broader criminal or terrorist network may be involved.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said: “We are not just seeking the arsonists themselves—we want to know who planned this attack and why. Fire is unpredictable and dangerous. It is only by sheer Divine Providence that this fire did not result in a mass casualty.”

Authorities have reviewed over 1,400 CCTV recordings and are now turning to the public for assistance. They are urging anyone who may recognize the suspects or who has information about the vehicle’s movements to come forward.

“The Jewish community in Melbourne has shown remarkable resilience,” said Assistant Commissioner Nutt. “We thank them for their support and patience during this extensive investigation.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)