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’.

Angelo Loras, 34, of Sydney, who describes himself as Iranian, suspected of starting fire at entrance to East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation building while 20 people were inside