Melbourne CBD protests: Fiery scenes as pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel protesters clash, forcing police to intervene
Six people have been arrested after heated arguments between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters in Melbourne’s CBD.
A combined crowd of 7,000 people attended the separate Nakba Sunday Rally, and a Never Again is Now Rally organized by the Christian Zionist group International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
There are reportedly some protesters from the Nakba Sunday Rally, which started around midday around the State Library and moved up Spring St, around Parliament House, where the Never Again is Now Rally was due to start around 2.30pm.
Police officers formed a line between the opposing groups to “ensure safety and prevent violence.”
“While organizers had confirmed separate locations and routes for their events, protesters from one group moved to Spring Street, Melbourne East to counter protests,” a Victoria Police statement said.
Controversial right-wing commentator Avi Yemini and a pro-Palestine protester faced off in tense scenes on Sunday
Victorian police formed a barrier to help prevent violence as the Nakba rally, which started around midday, joined the Never Again is Now rally in Melbourne CBD (pictured)
Six people were arrested, including three for obstructing police (in the photo, police restrain a protester)
‘The police response was largely successful in keeping these two opposing groups separated.
“Victoria Police respects people’s right to protest lawfully, but we ask that they do so peacefully, without impact on the wider community.”
Following both events, Victoria Police confirmed six people had been arrested.
One person was arrested for posting bills, one for obstruction and giving a false name, and one for assaulting police and possession of a drug of addiction. Three people were also arrested for obstructing police.
They have all been released pending their arraignment.
Controversial right-wing commentator Avi Yemini was pictured holding a microphone on Sunday after posting on Instagram about the Never Again rally.
He was also pictured in a tense exchange with a pro-Palestine protester.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the police response was “largely successful in keeping the two groups separated”
The meeting of one group was for anti-Semitism and the other was pro-Palestine
Police tried to keep the two groups apart while supporting people’s right to peaceful protests
There was an extensive police presence in Melbourne’s CBD for the two gatherings
Protesters wearing the traditional keffiyeh and waving the Palestinian flag descended on Melbourne’s busy CBD around midday for the Nakba Sunday Rally.
The Never Again is Now Rally, billed as a gathering to ‘stand against the oldest of racial hatreds, anti-Semitism’, featured speeches from Victorian Senators Sarah Henderson and James Patterson.
A post shared on their Facebook page ahead of the event warned attendees not to “engage” with counter-protesters at the State Library event.
‘There’s no reason to worry about that. “Victoria Police are closely monitoring the situation and there will be a high visible police presence across the city,” police said. “There are a lot of solid plans.”
The Nakba Sunday Rally on Wednesday marked the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, and comes amid heightened tensions with police.
The meeting followed wild scenes at the Victorian state’s annual Labor Party conference at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday, where officers clashed with protesters who attempted to storm the venue.
The pro-Palestinian rally started around noon (photo)
The anti-Semitism meeting started at 2:30 PM (photo)