Australia’s wake-up call
Around 1200 anti-Israel and anti-war demonstrators clashed with police outside the Land Forces International Land Defence Expo.
The violence and lawlessness that made headlines last week from Melbourne was “a wake-up call to every Australian”, Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto said this week.
Around 1200 anti-Israel and anti-war demonstrators clashed with police outside the Land Forces International Land Defence Expo, as protesters pelted police and their horses with rocks and manure, even spraying acid. At least 24 police officers required medical treatment and 39 people were arrested.
Cassuto said Australians “have caught a glimpse of the vitriol and violence that has concerned the Jewish community for nearly twelve months”.
The leading protest organisers were Students for Palestine, Extinction Rebellion and Disrupt Wars.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry Co-CEO Alex Ryvchin criticised the hypocrisy, writing on X “The word you never hear from ‘anti-war’ protesters is ‘peace’. They use violence and the threat of violence to advance their agenda.”
Jewish Community Council of Victoria president (JCCV) Philip Zajac noted his organisation had warned leaders for months “about violent, antisemitic extremists masquerading as ‘peaceful protesters’ in Melbourne”.
He added, “The thugs who threw rocks at police, set fire to public property and trashed local businesses are the same thugs who have been terrorising Jewish students at universities and spreading antisemitic hate week after week in the CBD.
“We continue to back suggestions by Opposition Leader John Pesutto that police be equipped with move-on laws.”
Inside the defence expo, there were around 1000 exhibiting organisations from around 45 counties, including Israel. The AJN spoke with a Jewish attendee, who said he was called a “baby killer” by a protester but felt safe due to the large police presence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence: “You don’t say you’re opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police,” he said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said, “They came with the intent – some – to cause violence and that is utterly unacceptable.”
Victorian Opposition leader Pesutto criticised the Premier, stating that “a normalisation of protest violence” cannot continue and that the Coalition was considering implementing a permit system for protests.
Federal Member for Berowra Julian Leeser told Parliament, “The violence involved in Melbourne’s protest yesterday is shocking and all too often, governments aren’t throwing the book at people who thumb their nose at the law and show no respect for their fellow Australians.”
On X, Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender called the scenes “terrifying”.
“The behaviour exhibited by these protesters was unacceptable.” she said.
“We need to turn down the heat and work towards maintaining social cohesion.”
By contrast, Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell called for an independent inquiry into the police’s alleged use of excessive force. Both Greens Victorian MP Gabrielle de Vietri and Senator David Shoebridge attended the protest.
Defence Minister Richard Marles criticised the Greens for “licensing that sort of behaviour”, adding “We have watched the Greens throw their lot in with thuggery time and time again.”
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein remarked the Greens “have transitioned from the principled environmentalist party of Bob Brown into an extremist organisation that endorses and encourages mob violence, as well as anti-Jewish agitation under the cover of ‘anti-Zionism'”.
comments