Victorian Premier labels NGV protest antisemitic
There were banners about the gallery having blood on its hands and one sign equating Zionism with fascism.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) was forced into lockdown on Sunday after 1000 pro-Palestinian protesters targeted the institution because of its association with a Jewish family famous for its philanthropy.
Pro-Palestinian social media attacks on the NGV referred to the high-profile John and Pauline Gandel in antisemitic terms, describing them as “billionaire Zionists” with links to Benjamin Netanyahu and describing a 90th birthday party for a senior member of the family as “a secret Zionist meeting”.
This reporter got into the NGV just before the main body of demonstrators arrived.
There were banners about the gallery having blood on its hands and one sign equating Zionism with fascism. Red dye had been thrown into the fountains. Many of the demonstrators disguised themselves with masks.
They could be heard from inside the NGV yelling at police, labelling them “scumbags”.
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