In a bold response to a disturbing arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne, Australia's Prime Minister has vowed to unleash the "full force of the law" on those responsible.

On Friday night, chaos erupted when a man doused the front door of the East Melbourne synagogue with flammable liquid and ignited it, forcing around 20 diners inside to evacuate—thankfully, without injury.

The police are now on the hunt for this perpetrator, while also investigating possible connections to an earlier attack that same night on a Jewish-owned restaurant, Miznon, in the city's bustling business district.

This alarming incident follows a disturbing trend of antisemitic violence in Australia over recent months, coinciding with heightened tensions from the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Australian government is taking action—having recently appointed a special envoy to tackle antisemitism and enacted tougher laws against hate crimes.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is clear: "Antisemitism has no place in Australia." He reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting all efforts to bring the offenders to justice following this latest assault on the Jewish community.

The attack at Miznon further escalated fears, with rioters reportedly smashing chairs and shouting threats against the Israeli Defense Forces, leading to several arrests on site.

Prominent Jewish leaders, including Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, have expressed grave concerns. "These events are a severe escalation directed towards our community," he stated, emphasizing the rising tide of antisemitism.

International voices, such as Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have criticized the Australian government's response, urging it to step up its fight against the pervasive issue of antisemitism.

As protests erupt from both Jewish and Muslim communities across the nation, the conflict in the Middle East continues to inflame social tensions in Australia, leading to a rise in discrimination and violence. Just recently, the Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to deadly attacks that claimed numerous lives and resulted in hostages being taken earlier this month.

With the situation growing increasingly fraught, only time will tell how Australia's leadership will navigate these troubled waters.