Victoria Police on Sunday said a NSW man was arrested in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday about 8.15pm and charged with multiple offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.

The attack came on the same night as another incident where protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne’s CBD.

Damage is seen to the exterior of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Source: AAP / James Ross

The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the restaurant in Hardware Lane, where they chanted “death to the IDF”, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

In the statement, they denied the incident was linked to the synagogue arson, saying pro-Palestinian activists “have never attacked places of worship, and we condemn such attacks”.

A group of protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in Melbourne’s CBD on Friday night. Source: AAP / Josh Stayner

Hours after the arson attack and protest, offenders spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne’s northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two.

“They are very much linked in that way,” Burke said. “But at this stage, the authorities are still are still investigating whether or not there is a more formal coordination.”

National Cabinet call, and condemnation

“He took it as a signal that the government was taking this very seriously,” Burke said.