By Alex Crowe
Police will increase patrols on Melbourne streets to prevent further violence following an ugly clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters in Caulfield on Friday night, which was triggered by a fire that destroyed a local burger shop.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the war in the Middle East could not trigger “deeply distressing” violence on the streets of Melbourne.
She said there was no place for antisemitism or Islamophobia in Victoria and more officers would patrol streets around Hawthorn Road – where Friday’s clashes erupted – to help ensure all communities felt safe.
“It is unacceptable that local communities here feel it is unsafe to go to their places of worship, to feel unsafe in their local neighbourhoods,” she said. “It’s unacceptable that last night this was the experience of Melbourne’s Jewish community.”
One man was hit by a rock and another was escorted from the scene after about 400 people gathered for a protest and counter-protest near Burgertory on Glen Huntly Road.
CCTV footage posted on social media on Saturday appears to show the arson attack on the burger store. In the footage, taken from across the road, two people in white hoodies are seen breaking through a window and entering the shop. Shortly after, they leave the store and there is a large flash.
Ahead of the protest, Palestinian-Australian Hash Tayeh, who owns the burger chain, said the fire in the early hours of Friday appeared to be a hate crime, but police believe the arson attack that destroyed the shop was not religiously or politically motivated.
Tayeh later urged supporters not to protest at the store.
The Free Palestine Melbourne group, which organised the rally by its supporters, apologised on Saturday for its choice of location for the protest, which led to the evacuation of a synagogue near Princes Park.
Jewish groups said the protest had led to fear and anxiety in their community.
“The behaviour we saw in Caulfield on Shabbat evening was utterly contemptible,” the Jewish Community Council of Victoria said in a statement issued on Saturday evening.
Allan said people from all over the world had chosen Melbourne as their home because it was somewhere they could practise their faith and celebrate their culture.
“That is something precious and that is what we must work hard to preserve,” she said.
“I understand how deeply important it is at this time for communities here to come together to share their grief with each other, to show support for each other, but it must be done peacefully, it must be done safely.”
About 100 people gathered near Burgertory after 7pm on Friday before moving south along Hawthorn Road to Princes Park, where there were angry scenes as the crowd swelled and dozens of police worked to keep the two groups apart. At least one man was pepper-sprayed by police before the crowd dispersed about 9.30pm.
Police said one man was removed from the area but no arrests were made as members of each group hurled abuse at the other across Hawthorn Road, leading police to close the street and halt trams and traffic. There were about 200 people on each side, police said.
They said a woman was arrested and a number of people were detained after a separate earlier clash between two groups outside Burgertory involving about 15 people. Police have not determined the circumstances of the altercation, which became physical and involved members from both sides trading insults.
Police on Saturday said they were working with community groups in response to Friday night’s violence.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire.Credit: Simon Schluter
“While individuals have the right to protest lawfully, we strongly encourage those attending to protest peacefully and without impacting the broader community,” police said in a statement.
State opposition leader John Pesutto said acts of violence or discrimination had no place in a society that valued diversity and understanding.
“We strongly condemn last night’s violence in Caulfield, a cherished and diverse area of Melbourne and home to many of our Jewish community,” Pesutto said in a statement on Saturday.
“In this moment of tension, we must seek de-escalation, support one another, and reaffirm our commitment to a society that celebrates diversity and embraces mutual respect.”
Police Inspector Scott Dwyer said on Friday afternoon that he was confident the burger shop fire was not motivated by prejudice. On Saturday, police said the investigation into the cause of the fire was ongoing.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria and Community Security Group Victoria released a joint statement following the altercation, published by The Australian Jewish News on Saturday.
They said members congregating at a synagogue near Princes Park were asked to go home for their own safety.
In a statement posted to its Facebook page, Free Palestine Melbourne said it had chosen Princes Park as a “neutral public area” and apologised for holding the protest in support of Burgertory and its staff near the synagogue.
“Organisers were unaware that there was a synagogue across the park ... We apologise to the Jewish community for the protest location that led to the evacuation of the synagogue, for any fear they may have felt and for the cancellation of Shabbat,” the statement said. “It was never our intention to disrupt or intimidate Jewish worshippers.”
Shabbat is a holy day of rest observed by Jews from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday.
Free Palestine Melbourne said its demonstration had ended at 8pm and that tensions escalated after that.
“This was not a protest in support of Palestine, rather a solidarity protest with victims of an anti-Palestinian hate crime in Australia,” the group said. “Hash Tayah and all Palestinians have every right to expect that they are free to live and work without racism or hatred.”
Police separate the two groups as clashes over Gaza broke out near Princes Park in Caulfield.Credit: Lachlan Abbott
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria and Community Security Group Victoria said the police presence along Hawthorn Road had largely managed to keep the protest under control.
“[The protest] created a heightened sense of fear and anxiety in our community and was highly disruptive for local residents,” the statement said.
The Jewish groups urged members to “continue advocating for our community, for Israel and for the safe return of the hostages while being aware of their personal safety”.
“We urge the community to refrain from any activity which heightens tensions or puts your personal safety at risk,” they said.
“We must go about our lives knowing that the Victorian Jewish community is proud and strong, and we have many organisations and individuals working tirelessly to support us.”
The state MP for Caulfield, deputy Liberal leader David Southwick, said what happened on Friday evening was a disgrace.
“To enter the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community, terrorise people outside their synagogue, and throw rocks at Jews is appalling beyond words,” Southwick said in a statement posted to social media. “This is not the Victoria I know and love.”
Speaking on Remembrance Day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no place in Australia for hatred or prejudice.
“This is a day when we pause to give thanks for the sacrifices so many Australians have made to keep our nation free and peaceful,” he said. “All of us have a responsibility to preserve that peace here at home. To maintain the harmony and respect that unites us.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the violence in Caulfield was unacceptable. “There is no place for violence, no place for antisemitism and no place for Islamophobia in Australia,” she said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday morning.
“People come to Australia because they want to live in a country that is peaceful, tolerant and respectful. We all must protect that,” Wong said.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the behaviour in Caulfield “by individuals provocatively protesting in an area home to many people of the Jewish faith was absolutely disgusting”.
“It was a deliberate act of incitement designed to end in violence. And predictably it did,” he said. “These scenes have no place in our country and should be totally and utterly condemned.”
The clashes on Friday night followed the arrest of at least four people during a pro-Palestine rally at Flemington Racecourse on Melbourne Cup day. Free Palestine Melbourne has arranged another demonstration in Melbourne for Sunday.
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