Protesters moved to Princes Park in Caulfield South at ‘the request of Victoria Police’, according to legal documents

Victoria Police allegedly instructed anti-Israel protesters to rally outside a synagogue, according to revelations that emerged in a legal fight over the 2023 incident.

Protesters at Princes Park in Caulfield South – in the middle of Melbourne’s Jewish community.

Police have been accused of instructing anti-Israel protesters to rally outside a Melbourne synagogue before the infamous Caulfield riot that forced Jewish worshippers to flee.

The shocking revelation emerged during VCAT proceedings as part of a legal battle launched by Jewish community advocate Menachem Vorch­heimer against Free Palestine Melbourne and rally organiser Tasnim Sammak.

Dozens of pro-Palestine protesters had gathered outside Caulfield restaurant Burgatory after it was torched in November 2023, despite police declaring that the blaze did not appear to be politically or religiously motivated.

The crowd then moved to Princes Park – in the middle of Melbourne’s Jewish community – where activists chanted anti-Israel slogans before clashing with police and locals in ugly scenes that spilt on to Hawthorn Rd.

The protesters were allegedly instructed to move to the park by police officers.

Ms Sammak was forced to apologise in the days following, after it was revealed worshippers marking the Jewish Sabbath were forced to flee Central Synagogue.

But according to legal documents, lawyers for the well-known activist told the tribunal that the rally was moved to Princes Park - which is located directly in front of the synagogue - at “the request of Victoria Police”.

In his complaint, Mr Vorchheimer also accused Victoria Police of “encouraging, authorising and/or assisting” the activists to breach the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, which is at the centre of the case.

It is alleged that Ms Sammak had told activists to protest outside the Central synagogue.

Mr Vorchheimer also alleged that online statements by Free Palestine Melbourne had incited an incorrect belief that “Zionists” were responsible for the attack.

In a statement posted to social media on Wednesday, the activist group said it was “assumed by many at the time that this was a hate crime.”

The statement denied that Free Palestine Melbourne had organised or endorsed the rally, and that the location was “not chosen with knowledge for foresight of its proximity to a Jewish place of worship”.

“Upon learning of the planned protest, FPM contacted VicPol at around 5.30pm on 10 November 2023, to express concerns about the rally planned for 7pm,” they wrote.

“As an organisation that stands opposed to all forms of racism, Free Palestine Melbourne issued a prompt apology to the local Jewish community the day after the rally.”

Another matter launched by Mr Vorchheimer against Victoria Police regarding their conduct at anti-Israel protests is scheduled for mediation on June 17.

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Protesters moved to Princes Park in Caulfield South at ‘the request of Victoria Police’, according to legal documents