Pro-Israel supporters gather in Melbourne CBD
Police issue move-on order as larger anti-Israel demonstration loomed at State Parliament.
A small group of pro-Israel supporters held a demonstration in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday, with police issuing a move-on order due to the presence of a much larger pro-Palestinian group at State Parliament.
The gathering of under 50 people, mainly Jews but also including Christians and other supporters, eventually relocated to Treasury House on Spring Street to avoid potential conflict.
Yaakov Travitz, leader of the Lions of Zion activist group, said police had given them “a direction that we are in breach of the peace” and told them to leave the CBD area.
“We’ve been given a no go zone in pretty much the whole of the CBD, because they admittedly cannot contain any violence, which they also admitted would not be coming from us. So they’re taking the easy option once again,” Travitz said.
“In the spirit of cooperation, we have told them we will do our best to try to work with you, and we’ll move down to Treasury House. It’s about 100 metres away from Parliament steps.”
Among the demonstrators was Chaim Pallas, who came with young Orthodox men to encourage Jews to lay tefillin.
“We came to wrap tefillin, and it’s an honour; it’s for protection for the Jewish people. The Lubavitcher Rebbe said in the Six Day War that tefillin is going to help protect us from all the enemies,” Pallas explained.
“The Jews were surrounded from all sides, and there was a miraculous victory. So that’s why we take to the streets and get people to put on tefillin and be proud of who they are and for the safety of our people.”
Zahra Toma, who moved to Melbourne from Samoa 20 years ago, expressed her motivation for attending: “I think it’s our love for the Jewish people as we always support them, and we always pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We can’t go to Israel, but instead of us going there, we just come here and support and stand together in unity with other supporters of Israel.”
Ruth Luba, who was born in the former Soviet Union, described her concerns about the current climate in Melbourne.
“I want my city to be free of this horrible thing. I want people to be able to go out for a walk in the morning on Sunday to enjoy the coffee and not to be harassed and not be bullied by this crowd yelling and throwing stuff at people,” she said.
“For the past 50 years, I thought it was the best place to be for myself, my kids. Now, I don’t think it’s a safe country anymore.”
As the demonstration concluded, a newly married couple taking wedding photos nearby noticed the Israeli flags and approached to express their support for Israel and the Jewish people. The crowd applauded and wished them long life and a happy marriage.