Pro-Palestine protesters’ ‘inflammatory’ act

Organisers of a pro-Palestine protest scheduled to occur outside a synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast have scrapped the event at the last minute after alleged threats made towards attendees.

Promoted online by the group Free Palestine Coalition Naarm, organisers had aimed to counter a panel discussion on Israel’s challenges and opportunities by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council at the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation.

“This is a peaceful protest called by Jewish anti-Zionists,” a post on the group’s Instagram reads.

“Attendees are asked not to go within 10 metres of the synagogue and (panel) attendees.”

However, hours before the protest was set to take place, organisers took to social media calling off the event about 4pm on Monday.

The decision came after organisers saw “comments on zionist pages online” which allegedly included threats of serious bodily harm against people who showed up to the peaceful demonstration.

Despite the protest being called off, it’s understood Victoria Police remain nearby the synagogue after several people gathered in support of the Jewish community.

The Australian Jewish Association shared on social media a large group had attended the synagogue on Monday.

Earlier,Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters there’s “no place in this state for hateful behaviour, for hateful protesting, for people to attend places with hate in their heart”.

“Everyone deserves to live in this great state, free from hate, free from vilification and they also deserve the right to be who they are, practise their faith, believe in who they believe in, and have their identity respected,” she said.

Ms Allan added that it was demonstrations like these that necessitate her government’s proposed anti-vilification laws.

“They will be a set of laws that will look at strengthening what makes our state great,” she said.”

The demonstration was also slammed by 3AW Mornings host Tom Elliot, who described it as “unnecessarily inflammatory”.

“There is nothing good that is going to come out of a pro-Gaza, free-Palestine protest taking place outside a synagogue,” he said.

The protest was scheduled to take place from 7.30pm on Monday.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that police would be on hand to “provide a visible presence to ensure the safety of the community”.