Jewish MP Julian Leeser asks premier Chris Minns to stop vehicle protests and impound cars

Jewish MP Julian Leeser wants NSW MP Chris Minns to step in and bring an end to car convoys which he says are deliberately spreading fear through vulnerable communities.

Jewish MP and Liberal backbencher Julian Leeser has called on Premier Chris Minns to ban vehicle convoys, describing them as anti-Semitic and designed to “create a climate of fear”.

The federal Berowra MP, who wore a kippah this week in parliament to protest against anti-Semitism, said the “original failure” of police in responding “adequately” to the Opera House protest on October 9 emboldened “anti-Semitic radicals”.

The comments follow outrage after convoy of cars flying Palestinian flags this week travelled through Bondi and come ahead of another pro-Palestine convoy planned in Sydney’s west on Saturday.

In a letter sent to Mr Minns on Friday – and obtained by The Saturday Telegraph – Mr Leeser said the Jewish community was already feeling “unsettled and scared” due to recent anti-Semitic demonstrations and attacks.

The emergence of car convoys in recent weeks had exacerbated the situation and, in some instances, posed a danger to other motorists and pedestrians, he said.

Julian Leeser has described vehicle convoys such as the one that went from Lidcome to Coogee were anti-Semitic. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Dylan Robinson

Mr Leeser said the protests create fear in suburbs with big Jewish communities. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Dylan Robinson

Urging Mr Minns to “act now”, Mr Leeser said he wanted drivers who participated in vehicle protests or convoys to have their vehicles impounded “just like dragracers”, and have their licences cancelled.

“I am deeply concerned about the emergence of car convoys in recent weeks,” Mr Leeser wrote.

Julian Leeser, pictured with Anne Aly, said the Jewish community was feeling unsettled and scared. Picture: Martin Ollman

“These are not political protests in recognised places for protest. These are protests that target ethnic and religious communities. They are meant to create fear in the suburbs with large Jewish populations.”

The pro-Palestine convoy planned for Saturday afternoon will see protest organiser Zaky Mallah ride with supporters from Villawood to Green Valley.

Protest organiser Zaky Mallah has organised a protest this weekend from Villawood to Green Valley. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mr Mallah, who was the first Australian charged under the anti-terrorism act in 2003, last weekend organised a small convoy of pro-Palestinian riders that culminated at Coogee Beach.

Jewish groups and politicians urged Mr Mallah not to go ahead with the “provocative” protest.

And the convoy saw a tense stand off between the two groups at Coogee, with police stepping in as protesters from both sides yelled at each other.

Meantime, an Israeli supporter has been charged with affray and using an offensive implement to commit an indictable offence over a clash with a pro-Palestinian convoy in North Bondi on Wednesday.

Police say a group of teens in a Mercedes and a 19-year-old Jewish man in a Toyota corolla clashed at a petrol station where the 19-year-old pulled out a hockey stick to confront the teens. The teens dealt with as young offenders.

Mr Mallah was acquitted of planning a terror attack and instead found guilty of threatening to kill Commonwealth officials and was given a 2½-year jail term.

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