Jews or Israelis considering travelling to Australia are being told to “exercise extreme caution” after the Melbourne synagogue fire-bombing that has been declared a likely terrorist attack.

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre, a Jewish human rights organisation, issued the warning on Tuesday morning Australian time.

The travel advisory is “a result of the failure of Australian authorities to stand up against persistent demonisation, harassment and violence against Jews and Jewish institutions in Australia”.

The centre wrote to Australia’s US ambassador Kevin Rudd to tell him of its decision.

The centre’s Rabbi Abraham Cooper said Jews had been targeted around the world, especially since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, and Australia was no exception.

“This latest attack comes within days of Australia voting for a UN resolution demanding Israel revert back to its indefensible pre-1967 War borders,” Cooper said.

“Such a resolution, far from strengthening hopes for peace, only emboldens those who seek Israel’s demise, who demean Jewish history, and who hate Judaism, Zionism, and Zionists.”

Israel itself has a level-two threat on Australia, advising travellers to increase precautionary measures following last Friday’s fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s south-east.

Australia, meanwhile, has told its citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan hit out at the threat warning.

“Melbourne, and Victoria, continues to be a good, strong, safe place to live and to visit,” she said.

“Victoria Police have established Operation Park, which is keenly focused on investigating incidences related to conflict in the Middle East.”

Police have been criticised for being too slow to act against antisemitism as officers hunt three suspects believed to be behind the fire-bombing.

The arson attack was the final straw in a terrible year for the Jewish community Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal said.

“The rise in anti-Semitism is just completely unacceptable but what we need now is a co-ordinated response,” Segal said on Tuesday as she called for strong action.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon visited the synagogue on Tuesday morning and toured the wrecked building, saying he was shocked and saddened by the attack.

“But I am encouraged by the strength of the community, the president and the community leadership, they are strong, they are united and the synagogue will be open in the very near future,” he said.

Members of the community arrived throughout the morning to observe the fenced-off synagogue, inspecting notes and bouquets of flowers left attached outside.

The fire-bombing is being investigated as a likely terror attack with the Joint Counter Terror Team taking the lead.

That declaration opens up extra powers for investigators, including the ability to stop, search and seize people without a warrant as well as detain and question those they believe have knowledge of, or links to, the attack.

The JCTT is made up of state and federal police and ASIO officers.

-AAP