A man accused of a Christmas arson attack on a car bearing a Hanukkah sign outside a rabbi's home has declared his innocence.
Richmond man John Argento faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being charged with six counts of arson.
He also faces a raft of other charges including theft, obtaining property by deception, attempted theft from a motor vehicle and burglary.
The 47-year-old is accused of setting alight a car bearing a chanukiah symbol, a nine-branched candelabrum associated with Hanukkah celebrations, outside a local rabbi's house in St Kilda East, southeast of Melbourne, in the early hours of Christmas Day.
No one was inside the vehicle at the time, but the house had to be evacuated as a precaution.
Police alleged Argento may have also been involved in an incident at a nearby street where a car was broken into about 20 minutes after the alleged arson.
Argento was unrepresented by a lawyer and appeared in court from Moorabbin police cells, where he was remanded in custody.
"I'm innocent of this arson," he said over the video link during his court appearance.
Magistrate Olivia Trumble told him it wasn't the best idea to speak with everyone on the link and in court.
The court was told Argento had diagnosed schizophrenia, bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder.
He was also at risk of self harm and on a methadone program, the court heard.
Argento was remanded to appear before the court again on Thursday.
The car arson occurred a fortnight after 15 people were killed when two Islamic State-inspired gunmen opened fire on Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach on December 14.
At the time, Jewish groups said the Christmas morning attack was designed to frighten Jews for being visibly Jewish.
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