Anti-Israel rally hears martyrdom glorified on city street

Martyrdom in the name of Palestine was celebrated during a Melbourne CBD street protest where jihad and support for Yemen also was raised | WATCH

People attend a rally outside Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday. During the rally, a speaker discussed martyrdom of Palestinians.

Martyrdom in the name of Palestine was celebrated during a Melbourne CBD street protest where jihad and support for Yemen also was raised, it has been revealed.

Covert video shows supporters clapping when a speaker last week warned that the Palestinians would not be defeated, because its people were prepared to die for their cause.

In a worrying escalation of rhetoric, the speaker was videoed on Swanston St talking about why Palestinian mothers were worshipped when their sons or daughters were martyred, which is a common Islamic concept in the fight against Israel and in other parts of the Middle East.

With police nearby, the speaker said Palestinian families celebrated the martyrdom, bringing offerings to the mother. “It is great. (When) every single martyr died, they go to their houses with a sweet,’’ he told the gathering. “And they chant to his mother ‘You are very lucky … I wish my mum (is) in your place’.

“How are you going to defeat us when we wish our mothers has (sic) the martyr in their house?’’

About 200 anti-Israel protesters demonstrated outside Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday, with another speaker mentioning “jihad”, and the chant “Yemen, Yemen, make us proud’’ breaking out. The video – seen by The Australian – is a clear escalation of the rhetoric by the most-outspoken anti-Israel protesters, coming amid increasing concern in the Jewish community that they are being targeted because of the conflict in Gaza, regardless of their personal views.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was one of 200 prominent leaders to attend a function headlined by singer Katy Perry at the home of the billionaire Pratt family at the weekend. The guests were confronted outside by pro-Palestinian protesters, who have increasingly targeted wealthy Jewish-linked businesses – especially families that have supported Israel.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich said the rising hostility towards Jewish Australians was “stomach-churning”.

People at the pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne.

“This outrage, which blows on the embers of hate, violates every value that we hold dear and must be condemned in the strongest possible way by every political and religious leader,’’ he said.

“Australia’s reputation of being a tolerant, inclusive country, safe for the Jewish community, is being torn to shreds. I urge Victoria Police to explore whether they have the power to stop this abomination.’’

In Islam, “martyr” is a term for those who die adhering to a religious command, including jihad. “Martyr” in the Gaza conflict refers to Palestinians killed in the conflict over their land.

This could mean fighters as well as the many civilians who have lost their lives during the Israeli military campaign.

The City of Melbourne council last week rejected a motion calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war amid fiery scenes inside and outside the building.

Members of the Jewish community, who were outside the building, claim to have been treated poorly by police.

Police are trying to calm tensions in the pro-Palestinian com­munity amid growing frustrations that the relentless campaigning is having no impact on the fighting in Gaza.

At the same site that the commentary was made about martyrdom, there were clashes with a small number of people opposed to the Palestinian protests, which included a middle-aged man falling to the ground.

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission. Picture: Josie Hayden

Police said: “Police will review CCTV footage … however encourage anyone who experienced or witnessed prejudice-motivated crime to report it to police.’’

“Any reports of this nature will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.”

The Weekend Australian revealed deep tensions in the arts community about the way some people were being targeted because of the Gaza conflict, which was sparked when Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7, while firing hundreds of rockets.

Nearly 30,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict – about two-thirds of them women and children – and Israel is facing global pressure to limit the death toll.

There have been scores of protests across Australia since Israel moved into Gaza, most of them in Melbourne.

At the same time, more radical elements have targeted Israeli shipping interests and other business connections.

There is deep concern in the Australian Jewish community about both hard and soft anti-Semitism, with some of the posters, stickers and protests overtly anti-Semitic.

On March 2, writer Clementine Ford – an outspoken opponent of Israel – will perform at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre on the same night as the opening of an acclaimed performance of Yentl.

The decision to push ahead with Ford’s appearance has alarmed prominent members of the Jewish community, who are opposed to her strident support for the Palestinian cause.