Free Palestine Melbourne, the organiser of a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Caulfield on Nov. 10, has apologised to the local Jewish community for what eventually turned into a violent clash next to a synagogue.
Victoria Police said that they were “very confident” the incident was not sparked by racial or political motivations, despite Palestinian supporters rallying in the area that evening, waving the Palestinian flag and chanting “From the river to the sea.”
In response, the local Jewish residents gathered, waving Israeli flags while chanting “Bring them home,” referring to over 200 hostages still held captive by Hamas.
The crowds on both sides continued to grow and exchanges became tense and heated. Police were called in to intervene and separate the two sides.
At around 9 p.m., pro-Palestinian protesters stormed towards the pro-Israel counter-protestors, breaking the police line and sparking physical clashes between both sides. Rocks were also allegedly thrown.
Police officers used pepper spray in an attempt to contain the violence.
‘Unaware’ of Synagogue
Free Palestine Melbourne said the organisers had been unaware that there was a synagogue across the park where the demonstration was planned.“We apologise to the local Jewish community for the protest location that led to the evacuation of the synagogue, for any fear they may have felt, and for the cancellation of Shabbat,” the group said in a statement.
“We should not have gathered in this location. It was never our intention to disrupt or intimidate Jewish worshippers.”
They clarified that the rally aimed to call for anti-racism after the burning of the restaurant.
“Demonstrators reiterate that the arson attack on [the restaurant] was a hate crime,” they said. “They gathered to speak out against racism and hate.”
According to the organisers, the planned rally concluded at 8 p.m., which was when tensions began to escalate.
“This was not a protest in support of Palestine, rather a solidarity protest with victims of an anti-Palestinian hate crime in Australia,” they said.
However, leaders have voiced their condemnations of the violent scenes that unfolded from the demonstration.
Premier Jacinta Allan said what happened was “deeply distressing” and “unacceptable.”
“We cannot let violence in the Middle East beget violence on the streets of Melbourne,” she said.
“There is no place for violence, hatred or inciteful behaviour in Victoria ... or for anti-Semitism or Islamophobia here in Melbourne and Victoria.”
She said it was “unacceptable” that anyone would feel unsafe going to their local place of worship and neighbourhoods in Melbourne.
“It’s unacceptable that last night this was the experience of Melbourne’s Jewish community.”
The premier announced that there would be increased police presence in Caulfield over the next few days.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police said individuals had the right to protest, but strongly encouraged protestors to act peacefully.
Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton said the behaviour exhibited by people “provocatively” protesting in an area home to many Jewish people was “absolutely disgusting.”
“The Jewish community in Australia is rightly scared for their safety at the moment, and we all have a responsibility to call out vile antisemitism when it rears its ugly head—as it did last night in Caulfield.
“Enough is enough.”
President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Daniel Aghion, said he met with the premier, deputy premier, and senior police.
“I expect them to redouble their efforts to ensure we never see anything like that again in Melbourne’s Jewish community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Adel Salman, condemned the violence seen at Caulfield and strongly encouraged peaceful protests.
He added that protests expressing solidarity with Palestine will continue “until there is a resolution.”
