Pro-Palestine protesters slammed for targeting Melbourne synagogue event

The Victorian Premier has condemned organisers of a pro-Palestine protest scheduled to occur outside a synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast on Monday night. Promoted online by the group Free Palestine Coalition Naarm, organisers are aiming to counter a panel discussion on Israel’s challenges and opportunities by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council at the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation. “This is a peaceful protest called by Jewish anti-Zionists,” a post on the group’s Instagram reads. “Attendees are asked not to go within 10 meters of the synagogue and (panel) attendees.” When asked about the protest at a press conference on Monday morning, Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters there’s “no place in this state for hateful behaviour, for hateful protesting, for people to attend places with hate in their heart”. “Everyone deserves to live in this great state, free from hate, free from vilification and they also deserve the right to be who they are, practise their faith, believe in who they believe in, and have their identity respected,” she said. Ms Allan added that it was demonstrations like these that necessitate her government’s proposed anti-vilification laws. “They will be a set of laws that will look at strengthening what makes our state great,” she said.” The demonstration was also slammed by 3AW Mornings host Tom Elliot, who described it as “unnecessarily inflammatory”. “There is nothing good that is going to come out of a pro-Gaza, free-Palestine protest taking place outside a synagogue,” he said. The protest is scheduled to take place from 7.30pm on Monday. A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that police would be on hand to “provide a visible presence to ensure the safety of the community”.