“Pro-Palestinian” protestors disrupt Melbourne Christmas carols
The annual Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight celebration at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl faced an unexpected disruption when a pro-Palestinian activist protest stormed the stage, capturing the attention of viewers during the live television broadcast.
Organized by Vision Australia charity for 86 years, the event aims to illuminate the lives of Australians and spread joy during the Christmas season.
Channel Nine, the event’s broadcaster, promptly cut away from the protest scenes in the live broadcast, although the audio continued transmitting. The activists, brandishing Palestinian flags, took over the microphone from hosts David Campbell and Sarah Abo. The interruption was widely criticized online, with TV executive Rob McKnight condemning the protest for its insensitivity, particularly towards the children performing on stage.
Carols by Candlelight holds a special place in the hearts of many Australians, as it symbolizes the spirit of Christmas and community. David Campbell, a returning host, expressed his honour in being part of the tradition, describing Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year. This year marked his tenth time hosting the event, and he expressed excitement about co-hosting with Sarah for the first time.
Despite the disruption, the Vision Australia website emphasizes the positive impact of Carols by Candlelight, noting that donations contribute directly to Vision Australia’s children’s services and the Life Ready Program. This program is designed to support the development and education of children and young people who are blind or have low vision, ensuring they have the opportunity for a fulfilling life, meaningful participation, and lifelong employment. The disruption highlighted the resilience of the event’s purpose in bringing communities together for a good cause, emphasizing the importance of spreading Christmas joy while supporting those in need.
The carols were being sung by children. TV producer Robert McKnight tweeted: “Yeah, let’s scare the kids performing on stage. What a bunch of morons.”.
Victoria Police said: “Police responded to protest activity at an event in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 24 December.
It is understood two people walked on the stage during the event with flags and chanting about 8pm.
A 21-year-old Brunswick woman was arrested and issued with an infringement notice for possession of a controlled weapon (box cutter).
A second person was moved on by officers.
A further two protesters were denied entry at the gates.”
Executive director of Zionism Victoria Zeddy Lawrence told J-Wire: “There’s a time and a place for political protests, and a family-friendly fundraiser and carol concert is neither.
Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein condemned the protests.
He said: “I was deeply disappointed and angered by these pro-Palestinian activists who disrupted Carols by Candlelight.
It was a self-indulgent and inconsiderate, arrogant assault.
The protest and the attempt to hijack another culture’s celebration shows total disrespect and disregard. In our multicultural and multi-faith community, such offensive attacks have no place whatsoever!
Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Who can forget there was an unwelcome pro-Palestinian protest in a park outside a Melbourne synagogue during services not so long ago?
It is time those who are calling for further protests brought their agitators into line and denounced without reservation this Christmas Eve, premeditated act.
It is no surprise that this act has received negative international coverage; make no mistake, the global attention is due to its downright, unacceptable offensiveness.”
…. so the second person on stage (the man) was simply asked or ordered by police to ‘move on’. That is simply not good enough. The behaviour of these two caused shock, was offensive to the cultural/religious occasion that Carols by Candlelight is – a traditional family event with a lot of history behind it. – at the very least these two should see themselves in court with some kind of retribution.
Those pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Crowne Hotel in Melbourne, venting their spleen at the Israelis staying there who had come to share with us the hostages situation, were also merely asked to ;move on’, What sort of message does this relay to these ignorant people who are obsessed beyond reason and care not for anything but their cause? That they can get away with it is the answer. And this is only going to contribute to worse in our society. Vic. Government and Vic. Police: do something about it. We don’t want platitudes; we want serious action.