Activist sues Free Palestine group

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.

A joint counter-terrorism taskforce comprising the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police was established to investigate.

According to the court documents, the Facebook post attracted 68 ‘likes’, nine ‘laughing’ emojis and 11 ‘shares’, along with numerous comments containing antisemitic conspiracy theories.

These included claims that “Zionists have been known to organise and execute damage to their own people” and assertions about “false flag operations.”

Free Palestine Melbourne, which has more than 74,000 Instagram followers, has organised anti-Israel rallies in Melbourne since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, according to the legal filing.

The case also references an earlier incident from November 2023, when Free Palestine Melbourne used social media to falsely blame “Zionists” for a fire at a Palestinian-owned burger shop in Caulfield South.

This occurred despite Victoria Police publicly stating the fire was not racially, religiously or politically motivated.

The organisation’s allegations reportedly resulted in riots outside Caulfield South’s Central Synagogue, forcing the evacuation of 150 Jewish worshippers during Sabbath prayers.

Vorchheimer’s legal team argues that Free Palestine Melbourne’s conduct “incited hatred against, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of Jewish people” based on their race and religious beliefs.

The application seeks a tribunal finding that Free Palestine Melbourne breached racial vilification laws, an order prohibiting the organisation from engaging in similar conduct, and other orders as the tribunal deems appropriate.

Free Palestine Melbourne has been contacted for comment.