Tensions flared in Melbourne’s southeast on Friday as confrontations erupted between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators, spurred by a suspicious fire at a nearby Muslim-owned burger shop.
A crowd of 400 gathered at Princes Park, Caulfield South, prompting police to form a human barrier and employ pepper spray to maintain control.
The ABC reports highlighted that a nearby Jewish synagogue had to abandon its Friday Shabbat service after 7 pm due to the intensifying clashes.
The Jewish community in Melbourne should demand and most certainly deserve an explanation from Victoria Police regarding the violent, hateful Palestine protest in south Caulfield tonight. How was this allowed to go ahead? pic.twitter.com/t219HKwXMz
— Rita Pakula Page 🇮🇱🎗 (@PageRita) November 10, 2023
The incident unfolded when pro-Palestine supporters convened in Princes Park on Friday afternoon, uniting in response to a suspicious fire that had ravaged the nearby Burgertory eatery, owned by Palestinian-Australian Hash Tayeh.
Victoria Police, in a statement, confirmed that at the time of the fire, Tayeh’s Burgertory store was unoccupied. However, they are treating the incident as suspicious, intensifying the ongoing investigation.
Tayeh told reporters her believes the fire was a hate crime, pointing out his attendance at an earlier pro-Palestine rally and leading chants for a ‘free Palestine.’
Following the Caulfield protests, Premier Jacinta Allan issued a late Friday statement, calling for compassion and urging Victorians to show love, care, and support in these challenging times.
“I reaffirm my call for Victorians to show each other love, care and support in these difficult times,” Allan said.
“It is our diversity that makes us great, and our compassion that unites us – there is never any place for antisemitism or Islamophobia in Victoria.”
It follows an incident in New South Wales that was also fuelled by heightened emotions over conflict in the Middle East.
A controversial art installation at Sydney’s Bondi Beach sparked outrage among Muslim groups last week.
The installation, situated at North Bondi, features 230 blue and white towels, each paired with symbolic flip-flops, carefully arranged along the pavilion railing.
Intended as tributes for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, the towels symbolise Israeli men, women, and children taken captive in the ongoing conflict. Each towel is accompanied by a poster featuring a photograph of the respective hostage.
Despite the installation’s intention, a small group expressed their discontent by attempting to destroy the exhibit.
Meanwhile, according to statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry, over 8,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel initiated its bombing campaign a month ago, including more than 3,600 children.
Recent Israeli attacks on the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in at least 195 Palestinian casualties, with approximately 120 individuals still missing under the rubble and hundreds more wounded.
In response, Israel has accused Hamas of causing significant civilian casualties, particularly highlighting an attack on October 7th, during which they claim Hamas killed 1,400 people, with the majority being civilians.
Israel further alleges that over 200 people were taken hostage during this specific attack. The situation remains highly sensitive and continues to escalate tensions in the region.
Meanwhile in Victoria, a 24-year-old North Melbourne man has become the first person to face charges under a recently enacted law prohibiting Nazi salutes and symbols. He stands accused of making the forbidden gesture outside a Melbourne court last month.
The state’s upper house passed a bill last month, making it illegal to publicly display or perform a Nazi salute. Those who break the rules face penalties exceeding $23,000, up to 12 months of imprisonment, or both.
