A man has been charged over an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue in an apparent escalation in antisemitic violence in Australia's second-most populous city.

Angelo Loras, 34, was charged with arson, endangering life and property damage. He was also charged with possessing a ‘controlled weapon’.

Australian counterterrorism police charge a man in arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers inside. The incident, condemned by Israeli leaders and by Australian Prime Minister Albanese,