SYDNEY – Australia’s Victoria state will set up an anti-hate task force to help frame laws giving police more powers to tackle violent protests, as it probes an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue when worshippers were inside, it said on Monday.

There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the Jewish community. A man was later arrested on suspicion of deliberately setting the front door ablaze.

There were two other incidents targeting Jewish residents in Melbourne on Friday night, with police saying they have not yet found a link between the perpetrators.

“Just as the fire came to the front door here of this (synagogue), it was stopped. So too must we put a stop to antisemitism,” Victoria state Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters outside the synagogue.

“Not only does it have no place here in Melbourne and Victoria, it has no place anywhere.”

Allan said the task force, which would include the premier, state police minister, Mayor of Melbourne, and police personnel, would have its first meeting this week. Jewish community representatives will be invited to attend the........

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