Sydney: Australia's government defended its efforts to combat antisemitism on Saturday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused it of adopting anti-Israel policies following an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

Netanyahu blamed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor government for encouraging such crimes, including Friday’s attack on the Adass Israel synagogue, citing policies such as supporting a recent U.N. motion backing a Palestinian state. He stated, "Unfortunately, this criminal act cannot be separated from the anti-Israel sentiment stemming from the Labor government in Australia," on X (formerly Twitter).

In response, Murray Watt, Australia's Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, rejected Netanyahu's claims, emphasizing that the Albanese government had taken robust measures against antisemitism. Watt highlighted that since assuming office in May 2022, the government had allocated $25 million to Jewish organizations for enhancing security at Jewish sites, including schools, banned the Nazi salute, and was actively addressing hate speech.

"I respectfully disagree with Prime Minister Netanyahu on this matter," Watt said in a statement from Brisbane.

Prime Minister Albanese condemned the Friday attack, asserting that there is no place for antisemitism in Australia. Authorities are still searching for two individuals suspected of deliberately setting the fire that injured one person and caused significant damage at the synagogue in Melbourne, Victoria.

Since the Israel-Gaza conflict began in October 2023, antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents have surged in Australia. Last year, laws were passed prohibiting the public display of symbols associated with terrorist groups. However, some Jewish groups have criticized the Albanese government for not doing enough to address the growing wave of antisemitism.

While many pro-Palestine protests over the past year have remained peaceful, the government has expressed concern that such demonstrations could escalate tensions and threaten social harmony.