Protests to go on ‘until liberation’, say pro-Palestinian rally organisers

Pro-Palestinian protesters have vowed to return to Melbourne’s CBD every weekend for as long as it takes to “liberate Palestine”, as the Victorian government mulls changes to protest laws that might outlaw rallies at places of worship.

The late afternoon change in position from the government, which had previously been dismissive of tightening protest laws, came two days after arsonists set fire to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in an attack early on Friday.

Pro-Palestinian protesters march through the streets of Melbourne on Sunday.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

On Saturday, NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered his government to explore outlawing protests at places of worship after a rally at Sydney’s Great Synagogue while members of the Israel Institute of Technology were inside.

Premier Jacinta Allan initially dismissed questions about similar changes on Sunday, but later a Victorian government spokesperson said the government would consider changes to “ensure that people can exercise their right to attend places of worship freely, without fear, intimidation, harassment or obstruction”.

Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish and whose office was vandalised and had fires lit there in June, backed the move, saying he wanted legislative reform to ensure synagogues and other religious buildings were not the targets of protests in Victoria.

“This is a very difficult wake-up call. It shouldn’t have gotten to this point. We need to respond with strength, clarity and action,” he said.

Protest organiser Nasser Mashni.Credit: Wayne Taylor

The move came as protesters mounted their 61st consecutive rally in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday, with thousands supporting the Palestinian cause listening to speeches at the State Library from about noon, followed by a slow walk down Swanston Street to Flinders Street. The crowd dispersed about 2.15pm.

Asked how long the protests would continue, one of the rally’s organisers, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni, told The Age on Sunday: “Why would we stop?

“For decades, Palestine had no constituency. I was an advocate for Palestine. Couldn’t get in the door, couldn’t get a media interview, couldn’t get an [opinion article] written. But today, Palestine is palatable. It is a movement. Palestine can’t be ignored any more.”

The protests would end, he said, only after “liberation”, by which he meant “decolonisation of Palestine – a Palestine that’s free from the river to the sea”. He said this was a reference to one state – not the federal government’s preferred two-state solution – that encompassed all the territory currently occupied by Israel and the Palestinian territories and which included Jewish, Muslim and Christian citizens.

Sunday’s CBD protest.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

The “from the river to the sea” phrase is controversial as critics believe it advocates the destruction of Israel.

Asked if he had discussed the continuation of protests with the state government, Mashni said, “They don’t talk to us.

“The state government is just applying the law. I don’t think the state government’s supportive of our actions, but the state government has a responsibility to uphold Victorian law, and we’re not doing anything illegal. I mean, that’s the right thing to do. It’s a democracy.”

However, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the protests were bad for business and for Melbourne.

“The indefinite continuation of these disruptive demonstrations is untenable,” said the chamber’s chief executive, Paul Guerra.

“Melbourne is a vibrant city, celebrated for its inclusivity, cultural harmony, and economic dynamism. These qualities are now at risk, and people are staying away from the CBD as a result.”

Guerra said the protests had “created a climate of fear, division, and uncertainty in our city” and traders were struggling.

“A permit system is required to minimise these ongoing protests before more damage is done to our city’s reputation,” he said.

Jacinta Allan has been cool on a permit system, which operates in NSW, and said on Sunday it was a matter for organisers to decide whether to proceed with their protests.

Writing in the News Corp tabloids, former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott criticised governments for not ending protests he called “disruptive and intimidatory”.

“In the face of such weakness, the attacks have now escalated to the level of domestic terrorism with the firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue,” Abbott wrote.

“The contrast between the way authorities crushed demonstrations in favour of freedom during the pandemic, yet have all but facilitated protests in favour of pogroms since October 7 [2023] could hardly be more stark.”

Victoria Police, which had a large presence at the CBD rally, said there had been no reports of offences, and no arrests made.

“Victoria Police supports the right to protest peacefully and will continue to have a presence at such rallies to ensure public safety,” they said in a statement.

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