Protesters rally outside Greens MP Jenny Leong’s office in response to comments about Jewish people

People dressed as inflatable squids and members of the Jewish community have gathered outside Greens MP Jenny Leong’s office in response to comments she made at a pro-Palestine discussion panel.

Protesters gathered outside of the office of Newtown Greens MP Jenny Leong after a statement in which she said Jewish groups were using their “tentacles” to “influence power” at a pro-Palestine event last year were revealed.

Among the protesters were those dressed as giant squids or carrying octopus plushies, poking fun at Ms Leong’s tentacles comment.

“Don’t be speciesist Jenny! Embrace your inner octopus teacher,” one sign read.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told The Daily Telegraph that Ms Leong would’ve been fired if her comments were aimed at any other communities.

Protesters including a giant squid – gathered outside Jenny Leong's Newtown office today following her anti Semitic remarks about Jews spreading their tentacles into world affairs. Photo: Supplied

“If Leong singled out any other community in this way, she would be sacked before the end of the day,” he claimed

“But the fact she got away with a non-apology, tells you where she and the Greens really stand on anti-racism and human rights.

“They manipulate these universal concepts to pursue their ideological opponents.”

A few protesters poked fun at Ms Leong’s tentacles comment. Photo: Supplied

Ms Leong’s comments emerged last week and have been criticised by political leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Premier Chris Minns.

“The Jewish lobby and the Zionist lobby are infiltrating into every single aspect of what is ethnic community groups,” she had been recorded saying.

NSW government frontbencher Anthony D'Adam and Greens MP Jenny Leong leading a pro-Palestinian protest march in Sydney on Sunday. Supplied

“Their tentacles reach into the areas that try and influence power.

“We need to call that out and expose it.”

Last week, in a statement, Ms Leong apologised that her language had caused offence, acknowledging she used an “inappropriate” description of groups “backing Netanyahu’s genocidal attacks in Gaza.”

“Speaking on a panel during a two-hour long event last year, I acknowledge that I used a word at one point that was an inappropriate descriptor for the influence of groups backing Netanyahu’s genocidal attacks in Gaza and the ongoing occupation – I apologise that this has caused offence,” she said.

“It is incredibly telling that after a conversation where myself and other speakers made countless mentions of the genocidal attacks and occupation occurring in Gaza right now, that two months later more focus isn’t being put on the deaths of over 26,000 people, many of them children.”

Ms Leong said it is “important to hold people to account for words that may cause harm”.

Ms Leong was contacted for comment in regards to the protest.