Kiwi inside attacked Melbourne synagogue fears slide from ‘hate speech into violence’

From Morning Report on Radio NZ…

A New Zealander inside a Melbourne synagogue subject to an alleged arson attack on Friday says it is a worrying escalation from “hate speech into violence”.

Flammable liquid was poured over a door and set alight on Friday. About 20 people were in the East Melbourne Synagogue at the time of the attack.

Counter terrorism police have arrested a 34-year-old man.

Also in Melbourne, on the same night, about 20 masked protesters harassed diners at an Israeli-owned restaurant. Three cars were also set on fire outside a Melbourne business.

One of those inside the Melbourne synagogue on Friday evening was New Zealander Murray Meltzer.

Read the full story on Radio NZ HERE.