Family members of Israelis who were killed or taken hostage by Hamas had to seek shelter at a Melbourne police station after they were confronted by a group of pro-Palestinian protesters in the lobby of their Docklands hotel.
The group of masked protesters stood in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Melbourne hotel on Spencer Street, holding Palestinian flags and a large sign with the words “Stop arming Israel” and “Free Palestine”, and placed two bloodied dolls on the ground.
Pro-Palestinian protesters block the entrance to a Melbourne hotel hosting families of Israeli hostages.
Footage of the protest, circulated on social media, shows the group at the top of escalators chanting “shame”, as four police officers approach them.
Deputy head of mission for the Israeli embassy in Australia Chris Cantor said the delegation of family members had finished meeting Jewish community members when they encountered the protesters on Wednesday night.
Cantor said the delegation was led into a secure area inside a police station until officers cleared the hotel and allowed them back to their accommodation about two hours later.
“For us, it’s totally unacceptable that these people who came here to meet politicians, meet civil society organisations, meet the media … have to meet in plain Melbourne city, a mob of people shouting and protesting against them,” he said.
Victoria Police confirmed officers moved on a group of about 20 protesters who had walked into the lobby of the Spencer Street hotel with flags and signs about 10pm. No one was injured.
In a statement released on social media, the pro-Palestinian protesters, who identify as “an autonomous group of pro-Palestine activists”, said the protest was aimed at Israeli embassy officials and the Crowne Plaza hotel for hosting them.
“The group of activists is committed to non-violence. The Israeli delegation came seeking military support and war,” it read.
A Free Palestine Melbourne spokesperson said the group did not organise or condone the protest.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne was targeted by the protesters.
“Free Palestine Melbourne played no part in this action. Palestinians understand the pain of being unjustly separated from those we love,” organiser Muayad Ali said.
“We are hopeful that all of the hostages will be freed in exchange for the thousands of Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli custody.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who met with members of the delegation when they visited Canberra on Tuesday, condemned the protest, saying, “why people would make the conscious decision to hold a protest where the families of these people were staying is beyond my comprehension and beyond contempt.
“I’m appalled by the actions of these protesters and I condemn them.”
Premier Jacinta Allan, who met one of the delegates on Wednesday, denounced the protest in a brief statement released on social media.
“I condemn the extreme behaviour on display last night, in the strongest possible terms. I condemn the antisemitism. I condemn targeting people in their moment of grief,” she said.
“Whatever your views, we all expect Victorians to act with decency and humanity.”
Police Minister Anthony Carbines also condemned the protest and confirmed he spoke to Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon overnight.
Asked whether there was a gap in Victoria’s move-on laws, Carbines said changes to anti-vilification laws were being addressed.
“The Attorney-General is currently in broad consultation on anti-vilification laws in Victoria and the work that needs to be done to strengthen those laws and that is currently underway and being led by the attorney,” he said.
“The attorney is leading that work and so I’m sure that’ll come to the parliament as soon as possible.”
Carbines said it was up to hotel management and police to determine whether the protesters were trespassing or intimidating others.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines has condemned a protest at a Docklands hotel.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Caulfield MP David Southwick, who is Jewish, said the protests “beggared belief”, given some of those staying at the hotel had children murdered in the October 7 attack. The Liberal MP said others had loved ones still being held hostage in Gaza, more than 50 days after the war began.
Among those in the delegation are relatives of Israelis killed on October 7, including Elad Levy, the uncle of soldier Roni Eshel, and Tali Kizhner, the mother of Supernova Festival victim Segev Kizhner.
Also travelling with the pair are Mika Shani, the sister of recently freed hostage Amit Shani, and Ofir Tamir, a close friend of Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.
The group met Victorian MPs at parliament on Wednesday afternoon, before attending a Q&A event at Mount Scopus Memorial College in Burwood that evening.
Caulfield MP David Southwick.Credit: Luis Ascui
“Melbourne is on show to the rest of the world and it’s at its worst today,” Southwick said.
Southwick said he would seek further information from police on Thursday.
Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said incidents like the protest were tarnishing Melbourne’s international reputation.
“Crowne has a lot to answer for, starting with how these radical activists knew that the delegation was staying there, and why did they allow them to ambush the guests and not remove them earlier,” he said.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the Zionism Federation of Australia and Zionism Victoria also condemned the protest.
In a statement, the Israeli embassy said the delegation would continue their Australian tour “and share their plea for support for their family members”.
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2023-11-30 01:44:55Z
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