Arsonists have extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue in what Australia’s prime minister has condemned as an antisemitic attack on Australian values

Australia on Monday launched an antisemitism task force following an arson attack at a synagogue in Melbourne which police say was likely terrorism.

Australian police have launched an investigation after a car was set alight and houses were vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney. The incident has been condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a "hate crime". He told ABC News: "There's no place for antisemitism in this country, or anywhere for that matter."