Melbourne synagogue firebombing: Sharri Markson blasts Anthony Albanese on anti-Semitism in emotional address
Jewish leader and Sky News host Sharri Markson has broken down on live television while slamming Anthony Albanese’s lack of leadership on anti-Semitism in the wake of a synagogue firebombing.
The well-known journalist was reporting from the scene of a shocking arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s south-east.
Emergency services rushed to the “suspicious” blaze at 4am but it was too late to save the Jewish place of worship. One person was treated for burns.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“It’s impossible to overstate how devastating (and) how truly heart wrenching this is for the entire Jewish community today across the country and in fact across the world,” Markson said.
“A synagogue, a Jewish place of worship, was firebombed — was set alight — in Australia in 2024. Just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes. How can Jews in our country not be safe going to a synagogue? This is unAustralian.”
Markson eviscerated Mr Albanese’s response to the fire in which he said that anti-Semitism had been around for many years.
“I can’t tell you how angry I am, truly angry, to hear him say just then that anti-Semitism has been around for a long time because that is abdicating his leadership on this issue,” she said as her voice broke.
“Fine, anti-Semitism has been around for thousands and thousands of years but not in Australia it hasn’t. Not in my lifetime. This is an unprecedented rise in Australia in anti-Semitism since October 7, 2023.
“It is on his watch, it is his responsibility to show leadership on it. He’s said the bare minimum on this issue over the past year. He hasn’t shown leadership or strength and that’s why we end up in this position right now where a synagogue is fire bombed.
“Anti-Semitism has been tolerated, it has been condoned in Australia over the past 14 months.”
Markson said the PM needed to show leadership now more than ever.
“When no action is taken then one thing leads to another and we can see how a synagogue was then firebombed,” she said.
“We have not seen political leadership from the Prime Minister on this issue.
“Everyone has a right to their own view on the Middle East, on Israel, on Natanyahu, but they don’t have a right to target the Jewish community here in Australia or anywhere.
“The Jewish community has been begging for leadership on this issue. We couldn’t have begged more.
“Anthony Albanese, the Federal Government, law enforcement just hasn’t done enough.
“I can’t tell you how heartbroken I am and I’m really fearful that this is just going to keep escalating unless really strong action is taken, unless the message is sent that this is not going to be tolerated.”
