Pro-Palestinian protesters warned to steer clear of MCG during Boxing Day test

Politicians and MCG staff have warned protesters looking to disrupt the Boxing Day test could be slapped with life bans from the venue

Pro-Palestinian activists have been warned to stay away from the MCG as the Boxing Day Test kicks off.

As thousands of fans pour into the G, the Victorian government and sporting authorities have reminded attendees to “respect the game” following a chaotic protest at Christmas Eve’s Carols by Candlelight.

Sports and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos, standing outside the G on Tuesday, warned would-be-protesters that there are “strict rules” at the MCG.

“I think there are strict rules that Cricket Australia has in relation to when you purchase a ticket to come to this beautiful event up next four days,” he said.

“You do that with the understanding that you don’t make a political protest decision while you’re here. You let people enjoy the game.”

Pro-Palestine protesters interrupt the Carols by Candlelight concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)

He said Sunday night’s protest, which saw a pro-Palestinian activist armed with a box cutter storm the stage at the Carols while children performed, was inappropriate.

“I think people are there for a beautiful event which happens every year with family and a real sense of community and love and I don’t think that’s the appropriate place to protest,” he said.

MCG boss Stuart Fox said he was “very confident” their security team would be ready for any activists who decide to protest.

“If you look at the numbers through the gates, 4.2 million year to date without incident, and one individual won’t make really any difference,” he said.

“We’ve got a huge security overlay here, a team of hundreds of people. So we’re very confident.”

He warned anyone who decided to protest would “definitely” be kicked out and could face a life suspension from the MCG.

“Depending on incidents, you can be suspended for five years or life,” he said.

“We haven’t had too many of those to deal with but we’re confident today that, you know, will have a safe environment.

We just want everyone to respect the game and the sport and enjoy the cricket.”

Pro-Palestine protesters are taken away by security after interrupting the Carols by Candlelight concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (AAP Image/Diego Fedele)

One in three Victorians believe the ongoing protests against the Israel-Hamas war are threatening the safety of Jews and Muslims, according to new polling.

The Redbridge poll of more than 2000 voters, conducted earlier this month, found 30 per cent of Victorians believe the ongoing rallies against the Israel-Gaza war – some which have led to arrests – have been primarily “threatening the safety of Jewish and Palestinian Victorians”.

Twenty one per cent said the rallies were to raise awareness of the war, while 19 per cent said the protests’ central aim was to pressure the government to call for an end to the conflict.

Victorians were evenly split on whether Australian governments were doing enough to protect Jewish people, with 35 per cent saying yes and 32 per cent saying no.

A flare is let off outside Flinders Street Station at a pro-Palestine rally. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Those aged 65 and older, however, were much more concerned about the protection of Jewish Victorians, with 42 per cent – compared to 32 per cent – believing federal and state governments were failing to protect the Jewish community against violence and discrimination.

Less Victorians said they believed Palestinian people were not being protected, with 38 per cent saying Palestinian Australians were protected and 21 per cent saying the government could do better.

The new poll comes as Victoria Police figures obtained by the Herald Sun indicate that Jewish Victorians are 32 times more likely to face racism and discrimination than Muslim Victorians, with 125 more reports of antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents than Islamophobic and anti-Palestine incidents recorded between October 7 and December 20.

The data revealed 153 incidents recorded by police were related to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents and 28 reports were related to Islamophobic & anti-Palestine incidents.

An anti-Israel sign held at a rally outside the State Library of Victoria. Picture: Brendan Beckett

There has also been more than 10 times as many arrests related to anti-Semitic or anti-Israel behaviour.

“Since October 7, police have made 32 arrests relating to anti-Semitic & anti-Israel incidents and 3 arrests relating to Islamophobic and anti-Palestine incidents,” a police spokesman said.

“Police monitor and assess each of these reports to determine whether a criminal offence has occurred. When offences are identified, investigations ensue, and arrests often follow.”

Most reports to police involved threatening language and graffiti, including stickers with offensive political messages and discriminatory social media posts.

Among those arrested and charged was a man who allegedly drove a HiLux ute towards a group of Jewish people in Caulfield on November 10 amid clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and the local community.

The incident was followed by a violent pro-Palestine rally at Caulfield’s Princes Park, in which police were forced to deploy pepper spray.

The protest, which led to a synagogue being evacuated, was in retaliation to a Palestinian-owned Caulfield burger shop, Burgertory, being burned down.

Police, however, have said the fire does not “appear to be racially motivated”.