According to Victoria Police, a man from New South Wales was apprehended in Melbourne’s central business district on Saturday at around 8:15 pm. He faces several charges, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire, and carrying a prohibited weapon.

This incident occurred on the same evening as a separate event where demonstrators allegedly smashed a window, overturned tables, and threw chairs at the Israeli eatery Miznon in Melbourne’s CBD.

Damage is seen to the exterior of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Source: AAP / James Ross

The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted “death to the IDF”, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

In a subsequent statement, the organizers disassociated themselves from the synagogue fire, affirming that pro-Palestinian activists “have never targeted religious sites, and we stand firmly against such acts.”

A group of protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne’s CBD on Friday night. Source: AAP / Josh Stayner

Hours after the arson attack and protest, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne’s northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.

“They are very much linked in that way,” Burke said. “But at this stage, the authorities are still are still investigating whether or not there is a more formal coordination.”

National Cabinet call, and condemnation

“He took it as a signal that the government was taking this very seriously,” Burke said.