Anzac Day: Local councillor criticised for wearing a keffiyeh to service replies

A Sydney councillor who was criticised for wearing an Arabic headscarf to an Anzac Day service has taken a swing at her “mostly male’ critics.

Millions of people have turned out for Dawn Services across Australia on Anzac Day to remember servicemen and women who have served the nation.

One controversial figure spotted at a service in Perth was Ben Roberts-Smith who was wearing his military decorations.

Meanwhile, police have clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Melbourne after protests turned ugly.

Greens councillor comes under fire for clothing choice

A Greens councillor in Sydney has hit back after coming under fire for wearing a keffiyeh scarf to an Anzac Day service.

A keffiyeh is a common headscarf worn in the Middle East. However, the black and white keffiyeh in particular has become a symbol of Palestinian nationalism and has been a common sight at protests against the Israel-Hamas war.

Rafaela Pandolfini, who sits on Randwick Council, laid a bouquet of flowers during the service at Coogee in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, but some critics accused her of politicising the event with her fashion choice.

Randwick councillor Rafaela Pandolfini (left) at the Coogee Dawn Service. Picture: Facebook

“Disappointed to see that a Greens Randwick councillor couldn’t help herself and had to politicise the Coogee Dawn Service by wearing one of the keffiyehs worn by the radical protesters and terrorists,” the Australian Jewish Association wrote on X/Twitter.

One person replied to the comment saying: “What a disgrace.”

Another said: “No class”.

In an email on Thursday, Cr Pandolfini told news.com.au that she attended the Dawn Service as “my grandfather served in WWII and died from war related health issues and trauma before I was able to meet him”.

“I wear a keffiyeh every day,” she said.

Rafaela Pandolfini was elected to Randwick Council in 2021.

The councillor said he grandfather served in the war.

‘Has a poppy on it’

On the “Greens on Council” website, Cr Pandolfini describes herself as a “artist, activist and mum”. Despite Cr Pandolfini stating she wears a keffiyeh everyday, the garment is not visible on her image on that website nor Randwick Council’s site.

“I have found the televised killing and maiming of over 30,000 Palestinian people extraordinarily distressing,” she said in her statement.

“This keffiyeh has a poppy on it.”

Cr Pandolfini said she was accosted by a “tall white man,” when leaving the service who “came up to me with his phone in hand presumably filming me.”

A story later appeared online, Cr Pandolfini said.

“I have since received vitriolic emails and messages, mainly from men,” she said.

“I didn’t accost anyone, I didn’t follow anyone, I didn’t shout at anyone, I didn’t film anyone, I didn’t record anyone without their permission, and I subsequently haven’t written hateful and aggressive emails and texts to people.”

Aussies enjoy Two-Up

After gathering at Dawn Services around the country thousands of Aussies headed to the pub to engage in the traditional Anzac Day tradition of Two-Up.

Punters at the Queens Wharf Hotel in Newcastle tried their luck with some winning big and others walking away empty-handed.

Two women get their money ready. (Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty Images)

Punters clap and cheer as the coins are tossed. (Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty Images)

A man gets the coins ready. (Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty Images)

One man holds onto a handful of notes during a game of Two-Up. (Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty Images)

Meanwhile Aussies in Canberra were enjoying the sunshine and a game of Two-Up at The Dock bar.

One veteran displays his medals as he plays a game of Two Up. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

One woman in sunglasses can be seen cheering during one game (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

This young man is ready for game! (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Ben Roberts-Smith in attendance

Ben Roberts-Smith was spotted with dignitaries at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth today.

The former Australian soldier last year lost a high-profile defamation case he launched against Nine newspapers.

His action related to articles about alleged war crimes and other matters published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times and Justice Anthony Besanko ruled the imputations were substantially true.

Ben Roberts-Smith is appealing the decision.

Ben Roberts-Smith at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Perth. Picture: Nine

He was spotted with dignitaries at The Dawn Service. Picture: Nine

Protesters clash with police

Hundreds of people gathered on the steps of Victorian parliament in Melbourne on Thursday to protest the “glorification of war” on Anzac Day.

There were clashes with police and a reporter was chased after protesters marched to the State Library, the Herald Sun reports.

Police were forced to form a barricade.

Australian veterans have called the protests “disrespectful”.

Protesters marching down Bourke Street in Melbourne. Picture: David Caird

Veterans say the protests were “disrespectful”. Picture: David Caird

A group called Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Victoria, which is organising some of the protests, has called on the community to stop glorifying the actions of the Australian military on the national day of remembrance, which takes place annually on April 25.

“I have no issue with them having peaceful demonstrations, but what comes along with that is the right to respect other people,” RSL Victoria president Dr Robert Webster told the Herald Sun, labelling the protests “disrespectful”.

“They’re choosing to disrespect the veterans of this country who treat today as our national day, that to me is the issue.”

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victoria president Bob Elworthy told the newspaper Anzac Day should be “left alone”.

RSL Victoria president Dr Robert Webster. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“They have the right to protest, but I don’t respect them protesting on Anzac Day,” he said.

“Anzac Day is not about glorifying war, we’re paying respect to those who put themselves in harm’s way so that people can protest.”

Victoria Police said in a statement that it “closely monitors protest intelligence in the lead-up to major events and days of significance”.

“We are aware of a number of unrelated rallies and events occurring throughout the CBD across Thursday,” police said.

“We are well-prepared and resourced to respond should any protest activity require our attendance.”

Millions pay respect to servicemen and women

It comes after millions of Australians rose before the sun to pay respects to the servicemen and women who have served the nation.

Dawn Services took place in every state and territory to commence Anzac Day celebrations from just after 4am on Thursday.

A large crowd of Victorians gathered at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.

Presenter Justin Smith delivered opening remarks, speaking of senior World War I officer Harold “Pompey” Elliott.

People pay their respects at the Shrine of Remembrance. Picture: Martin Keep/AFP

“He could be heard yelling and swearing at a soldier one day and then found sobbing over news of the man’s death the next,” Mr Smith said.

“So he knew about war. But he knew about something else — not just what a war was, but he knew how war should be remembered. And today … years after Pompey Elliot landed into the horror of Gallipoli, we’re here again, waiting for dawn.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan gave a solemn speech to honour all those affected by war and conflict.

“This is why it is right that this year’s commemorations are shining a light on peacekeepers, peacemakers and peace builders,” she said.

“After all, the best way to honour the sacrifices of those who have served our nation in wartime is to make every effort to promote peace.”

Originally published as Anzac Day: Local councillor criticised for wearing a keffiyeh to service replies