The vehicle was destroyed in the incident in the early hours of Thursday. Photo: ABC / Supplied
Police in Melbourne have named a person of interest as they investigate an arson attack on a vehicle with a Hanukkah decoration in the early hours of Christmas morning.
A local Rabbi's car, adorned with a "Happy Chanukah" sign, was destroyed in the incident about 3am on Thursday (local time), with his family fleeing their St Kilda East home as the unoccupied vehicle burned.
Chanukah, also spelled Hanukkah, is the name for the eight-day Jewish festival of lights.
The incident in an area with a strong Jewish population has been condemned as a frightening act of antisemitism.
On Friday, detectives urged John Argento - who is described as being 185 centimetres tall with a thin build, blue eyes and grey hair - to contact police.
Officers said the 47-year-old lived a transient lifestyle in Melbourne's inner north and south.
Police say they want to speak to John Argento following the car fire. Photo: Victoria Police
He is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for deception-related offending, they said, and investigators would also like to speak with him about a vehicle that was broken into about 20 minutes after the arson.
While the incident is being treated as a targeted attack, Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert said there was no indication Argento posed a specific risk to the Jewish community.
"We understand the devastating impact this type of offence has on our Jewish community, and we are continuing to prioritise this investigation," he said in a statement.
"We won't fully understand the motives of this arsonist until we get them into custody.
"At this stage, we do not believe there is a broader threat to the Jewish community.
"We want to thank people in the area for their assistance in this investigation so far."
The incident on Thursday morning was condemned by local Jewish leaders, state politicians from both major parties and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Police worked into the night trying to ascertain the whereabouts of a person of interest identified earlier in the day.
The destroyed vehicle will be forensically examined by an arson chemist.
- ABC