Caulfield synagogue evacuated on Shabbat

Violence has erupted as pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters squared off in Melbourne’s southeast after a suspicious fire at a nearby burger shop.

The clash took place in a park adjacent to the city’s Central Synagogue in Caulfield on Friday night as congregants were assembled for Shabbat prayers.

The police and the Community Security Group ordered the evacuation of the building.

Police used pepper spray as a fight broke out in the middle of Hawthorn Road in Caulfield South on Friday night.

Pro-Palestine supporters rallied in Princes Park and were greeted on the other side of the road by pro-Israel demonstrators, with police standing between the groups.

“There were two groups with approximately 200 people in each group demonstrating,” police said.

Officers said one man was pepper-sprayed and removed from the area under breach of the peace provisions and another man reported receiving minor injuries after being hit by a rock.

Police said in a statement they “will investigate both incidents further and will review CCTV and vision from the event to detect any other offences”.

 

Of all the places in Melbourne to hold a pro-Palestinian rally, they chose Caulfield. In a park next to a synagogue. This is a calculated attempt to intimidate the Jewish community with predictable consequences. https://t.co/w3AUqD9ObE

— James Paterson (@SenPaterson) November 10, 2023

The clash took place near Burgertory’s Caulfield store, which was severely damaged in a blaze on Friday morning.

The burger chain’s founder and CEO Hash Tayeh believes the fire was a hate crime after he was filmed at a pro-Palestine rally leading a “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” chant.

“Two weeks ago we started receiving threats,” the Palestinian-Australian told reporters.

“My voice will not be silenced. I will be out there every Sunday calling for a ceasefire and calling for peace.”

While police are treating the fire as suspicious, they are confident it was not religiously or politically motivated.

“I would warn people not to make assumptions or draw lines of inquiry that aren’t there between this incident and anything else that is occurring,” Victoria Police Inspector Scott Dwyer said.

Officers also intervened after a dispute outside the business earlier in the day.

Premier Jacinta Allan called for Victorians to show each other love, care and support as the war rages in the Middle East.

“It is our diversity that makes us great, and our compassion that unites us – there is never any place for antisemitism or Islamophobia in Victoria,” she said in a statement.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto echoed her words.

“The ugly scenes we have witnessed tonight are unacceptable,” he wrote on social media.

Zionism Victoria unequivocally condemned the violence and incitement that we witnessed in the heart of the Jewish community last night and our deep distress that a synagogue had to be evacuated and services abandoned because of the threat posed by pro-Palestinian protestors.

That these scenes played out after Victoria Police had specifically stated that there appeared to be no racial motive behind the fire at the Caulfield branch of Burgertory is particularly egregious.

Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb lamented, “How have we reached a situation in multicultural Melbourne that Jews are unable to attend prayer services at their synagogues on a Friday night or that members of our community should face taunts and abuse on the streets where they live?

“It is deeply distressing and disturbing that these demonstrators came to Caulfield on the Jewish Sabbath, spurred on by malicious and baseless rumours about who was responsible for the fire at Burgertory.”

He added, “Zionism Victoria vociferously condemns any and all acts of violence against persons or property, and any and all acts of incitement.

“Furthermore, we condemn any attempt to fuel discord between different religious or ethnic groups within Victoria.

“In that vein, we welcomed the Premier’s statement on Thursday which emphasised the need to focus on the safety and wellbeing of all Victorians impacted by the current conflict at this time, and we urge all parties to act in a peaceful and respectful fashion.”

Former federal MP Michael Danby added: “It was outrageous that this demonstration was allowed to take place tonight in a small park directly opposite a Synagogue in Maple St , Caulfield.

Local state MP David Southwick tweeted: “What happened in my community of Caulfield this evening was a disgrace. To enter the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community, terrorise people outside their synagogue, and throw rocks at Jews is apalling beyond words. This is not the Victoria I know and love.”

Senator James Paterson was outraged, commenting “Of all the places in Melbourne to hold a pro-Palestinian rally, they chose Caulfield. In a park next to a synagogue. This is a calculated attempt to intimidate the Jewish community with predictable consequences.”

Anti-Defamation Council’s chair, Dvir Abramovich posted on social media: “There is something very wrong in this city. Scenes I never imagined I’d see. Princess Park. Caulfield. Melbourne will never be the same.”

AAP/J-Wire