Five teens clash over Palestinian flag at Bondi service station
An Israeli supporter has been charged and a carload of flag-waving Palestinian teens dealt with as youth offenders after a concerning clash in North Bondi.
NSW
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An Israeli supporter has been charged and a group of flag-waving Palestinian teens dealt with as youth offenders after a concerning clash on the streets of North Bondi.
The 19-year-old Israeli supporter was charged with affray and using an offensive implement to commit an indictable offence after the incident at a BP petrol station on Old South Head Rd about 10pm on Wednesday.
Police allege the clash began after the Israeli supporter in a Toyota Corolla saw two carloads of teenagers in a white Mercedes and a Kia hatchback waving Palestininan flags out the windows.
He then did a U-turn to follow them. Footage taken from inside the man’s car shows him following the Mercedes and the Kia through the streets of the beachside suburb.
A rock was then thrown at the man’s Toyota, smashing the driver’s side mirror.
The man then drove to a nearby service station, with a sedan carrying the group of teenagers arriving a short time later. The man then allegedly pulled out a hockey stick and confronted the teen.
In a statement, NSW Police said officers “patrolling the area arrived a short time later and separated the groups. No one was injured in the incident.”
“Following inquiries, a 19-year-old man was arrested at a home in Bondi.
“He was charged with affray and use offensive implement with intent to commit indictable offence.
“He was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court.’’
Police said the four Palestinian teens had also been charged and would be dealt with in accordance with the Young Offenders Act.
Also under investigation is an incident captured on video in which a food delivery rider on a motorbike was sent skidding to the ground, after being cut off by the Kia vehicle containing the teenagers.
We are told this is from before the confrontation last night.
— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) November 15, 2023
We cannot confirm but it does appear to be Bondi. pic.twitter.com/9fsazJ9yVF
The footage from inside the car of the Israeli supporter captured the hi-vis wearing scooter rider lying on the road at the intersection of Old South Head Rd and O’Brien St after he had been cut off.
Waverley Council Mayor Paula Masselos urged the community to “come together” in the face of tensions caused by the war in Gaza, saying: “As the elected leader of Waverley, my unwavering focus is on ensuring the safety, resilience, social inclusivity and harmony of our local community, which is home to people from around the world.”
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