Erkan Kemal accused of driving into a group of Jewish people at Caulfield protest

A Keilor man accused of driving his car into a crowd of Jewish people at a Caulfield protest has fronted court.

Erkan Kemal has been accused of driving into a crowd of Jewish people at a Caulfield protest in November 2023.

A Keilor man accused of driving his car into a crowd of people at a Palestine-Israel protest in Caulfield has had his case pushed back.

Erkan Kemal fronted the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on April 4, facing two charges of reckless conduct and endangering serious injury.

The court heard Mr Kemal allegedly drove his car into a group of Jewish people at a protest on Hawthorn Rd in Caulfield South on November 10 last year.

Police allege Mr Kemal’s actions put others at risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injury.

The protest followed the torching of popular burger bar Burgertory in Caulfield South, leading to violence between both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters at the doors of a synagogue in the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community.

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protestors clashed in Melbourne's inner south-east on November 10. Credit: Rukshan Fernando, @therealrukshan/Twitter

Hundreds of protesters had descended on the place of worship, causing the synagogue to be evacuated.

A nasty clash occurred a short time later at Princes Park, where police were forced to use pepper spray to subdue the chaos.

On Thursday, the court heard Mr Kemal and police still had “contentious” matters in dispute regarding the charges, including identification issues.

Magistrate Ross Maxted adjourned the matter to May 17, releasing Mr Kemal on bail, including one condition that prohibits him from attending any protest or public gathering.

Mr Kemal will return to Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on May 17 for a contest mention.