A Jewish congregation has urged a magistrate to keep an accused synagogue arsonist behind bars, telling the court they were still traumatised by the attack.

Giovanni Laulu, 21, made a bid for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday after being charged over the December 2024 arson.

It's alleged Laulu and two others used 100 litres of fuel to set fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast about 4.15am on December 6.

The trio allegedly drove to the Ripponlea site in a stolen Volkswagen then smashed their way in using an axe.

Two worshippers were in an adjoining room and the alleged arsonists turned to look at one of the men as he banged on the window to stop them.

But they proceeded to pour the fuel and set fire to the synagogue before fleeing in the stolen car,

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