Man arrested over alleged Melbourne arson attack on car with Hanukah decorations

A 47-year-old man was arrested after a car displaying Hanukah decorations was set on fire in St Kilda East on Christmas morning; he remains in custody and detectives are expected to interview him.

Police in Victoria have arrested a man over an alleged arson attack on a car decorated for Hanukah in Melbourne. The vehicle, which carried a sign reading "Happy Chanukah," was set on fire on Christmas morning in St Kilda East. No one was inside the car and the occupants of the nearby house — a woman and three children — were evacuated as a precaution. The incident occurred amid heightened concern following a deadly attack in Sydney less than two weeks earlier. Facts: - The car with a "Happy Chanukah" sign was set on fire on Christmas morning in St Kilda East, Melbourne. - No one was inside the vehicle at the time and a woman and three children from the house were evacuated as a precaution. - Victoria police arrested a 47-year-old Richmond man; he remains in custody and no charges have yet been laid. - Detectives are expected to interview the man as part of their enquiries, and the event followed an attack in Sydney reported to have killed 15 people less than two weeks earlier. Summary: The arrest represents a procedural step while investigators continue their enquiries and prepare to interview the person in custody. Officials and community leaders said the incident raised fears of antisemitism; no charges have been filed and the next formal step is the planned police interview.