Activist sues Free Palestine group
The application seeks a tribunal finding that Free Palestine Melbourne breached racial vilification laws.
A Melbourne Jewish activist has launched legal action against Free Palestine Melbourne, alleging the organisation breached racial vilification laws by claiming the December firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue was a “false flag” operation carried out by Jews for financial gain.
Menachem Vorchheimer filed the case in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on 16 June, seeking findings that Free Palestine Melbourne violated sections 7 and 8 of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001.
The legal action centres on a Facebook post published by Free Palestine Melbourne around 23 February to its 18,000 followers, which falsely asserted the Adass Israel Synagogue terrorist attack was perpetrated by Jews with “no motive other than money”.
The Ripponlea synagogue, which Vorchheimer describes as his childhood place of worship located just a few hundred metres from his family home, was attacked on December 6, 2024.
The incident caused extensive irreparable damage, with many holy books destroyed and Torah scrolls significantly damaged.
comments