Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has linked the burning of a Melbourne synagogue to the “extreme anti-Israel” views of the Albanese government.

Netanyahu on Saturday morning (AEDT) said it was impossible to separate the firebombing from the Australian government’s treatment of Israel.

“The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of antisemitism,” said Netanyahu in a post on X.

“Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia.”

Specifically, Netanyahu singled out the government’s “scandalous decision” to support a UN resolution calling on Israel to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

He also highlighted the Albanese government’s move to prevent a former Israeli minister from entering the country.

“Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism,” he declared.

Right-wing politician Ayelet Shaked was barred from entering Australia for a speaking tour on the grounds she could “seriously undermine social cohesion”, according to Immigration Minister Tony Burke, who cited her past public comments about Palestinians.

Two suspected arsonists remain at large after the Adass Israel synagogue at Glen Eira was badly damaged in a targeted attack while congregants were inside on Friday morning.

The building in Melbourne’s southeast had two of its three buildings gutted after suspected masked intruders allegedly broke into the building and set it alight in the early hours.

Two congregants were inside at the time, preparing for morning prayers, and were evacuated with one sustaining minor injuries.

Netanyahu called on authorities to “use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future”.

Yumi Friedman, founder of Yumi’s dips, was one of those in the building and described hearing a “big bang on the door with a sledgehammer” before fleeing to call police, only to return to find the building fully alight.

The fire was believed to be targeted and investigators have not yet ruled out terrorism as a motive, Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.

The suspects had poured accelerant on the floor inside the synagogue and set it on fire before fleeing when they were disturbed by a congregant, police said.

The attack on a place of worship, which was built by Holocaust survivors, has led to a heightened sense of fear in the community, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said.

But he urged Jewish community members not to “hide away” from public view in the wake of the arson.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed increased police patrols to bolster safety into the following week and pledged $100,000 towards rebuilding.

Politicians and religious leaders unanimously condemned the anti-Semitic arson attack, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offering to send in the Australian Federal Police to help with the Victoria Police investigation.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon urged the government to do more to combat anti-Semitism, with the “outrageous” attack serving as a chilling reminder of the scourge.

-with AAP