Tensions have spilled onto the streets outside a synagogue as pro-Israel supporters gathered to counter a pro-Palestine protest, despite the rally being cancelled.
A large crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators rallied outside the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation in Melbourne on Monday night, even after the planned pro-Palestine protest was called off at the 11th hour due to safety concerns.
'This peaceful demonstration has been cancelled due to the threats made by Zionists against protestors,' organisers posted on social media.
Despite the cancellation, there was a heavy police presence near the synagogue in Melbourne's south-east, where a sea of Israeliflags far outnumbered the Palestinian flags.
Footage from the demonstration showed Israeli supporters chanting and singing songs under the watchful eye of police.
Tensions eventually boiled over between the opposing groups with at least two arrests.
One man wearing a keffiyeh – a Palestinian scarf –was cornered by pro-Israel demonstrators, which resulted in a brief scuffle and was thrown to the ground, the Herald Sun reported.
The man was quickly handcuffed by officers and escorted from the scene before he was later released.
Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestine protestors clashed outside a Melbourne synagogue on Monday night
Pro-Israel activists gathered outsideCaulfield Hebrew Congregation on Monday night following reports of a pro-Palestine protest, which was called off
A short time later, specialist officers encircled a small group of pro-Palestine supporters who held anti-Zionist signs saying 'nothing is more anti-Semitic than Zionism'in an attempt to keep them away from the much larger pro-Israel group.
The pro-Israeli crowd chanted 'bring them home' and 'get a job' before police eventually moved on the pro-Palestine supporters further down the street.
It's understood a second man was handcuffed and then released.
No charges had been laid as of Monday night.
Crowds began to disperse at around 9pm.
The planned demonstration was in response to a planned talk organised by the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council with the help of the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation and United Israel Appeal Victoria.
It would discuss 'Israel's challenges and opportunities in a new Middle East' with a guest panel includingformer Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked, whose visa into Australia was reportedly rejected.
Large crowds of Jewish Melburnians gathered outside Caulfield Hebrew Congregation on
A large crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators rallied outside the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation in Melbourne on Monday night
Before cancelling the planned pro-Palestine demonstration,Free Palestine Coalition Naarm condemned the event.
'We need to let them know their genocidal planning is not welcome on sacred Boonwurrung land. We will peacefully demonstrate across the road,' organisers wrote online.
'This is a protest called by Jewish anti-Zionists, many of whom grew up going to synagogues – and do not acquiesce to our (religion) being weaponised as a tool of imperialist genocide.
'We stand for the liberation of Palestine and justice for Palestinian people, and refuse to allow Zionist Jews to hide behind religion to avoid culpability.'
They cancelled the planned protest at 4pm on Monday- three hours beforehand.
One woman, who didn't want to be identified, said she heard about the pro-Israel response rally through a WhatsApp group.
'It's very uplifting to hear the Israeli music, to see all the Israeli flags,' she said.
Others attended to show support the local Jewish community.
'I don't believe they're here to try and protest,' one man said of the few Palestinian activists who turned up.
'I think they're here to cause trouble.'
At least one person (pictured with police) was arrested during the demonstration following a scuffle. No charges had been laid as of Monday night
Premier Jacinta Allan earlier told reporters there's 'no place in this state for hateful behaviour, for hateful protesting, for people to attend places with hate in their heart'. Pictured are pro-Israeli supporters surrounded by police on Monday night
Specialist police encircled a small group of pro-Palestine supporters holding anti-Zionist signs before moving them on
Earlier, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters there's 'no place in this state for hateful behaviour, for hateful protesting, for people to attend places with hate in their heart'.
'Everyone deserves to live in this great state, free from hate, free from vilification,' she said.
'They also deserve the right to be who they are, practise their faith, believe in who they believe in, and have their identity respected.'
Ms Allan added that it was demonstrations like these that necessitate her government's proposed anti-vilification laws.
'They will be a set of laws that will look at strengthening what makes our state great,' she said.'
The planned pro-Palestine demonstration was in response to a planned talk about'Israel's challenges and opportunities in a new Middle East'
The demonstration was also slammed by 3AW Mornings host Tom Elliott, who described it as 'unnecessarily inflammatory'.
'There is nothing good that is going to come out of a pro-Gaza, free-Palestine protest taking place outside a synagogue,' he said.
There was a heavy police presence near the synagogue in Caulfield North in Melbourne's south-east on Monday night
Monday's demonstration (pictured) followed another violent clash in Caulfield a year ago
Monday's demonstration followed another violent clash in Caulfield a year ago.
The suburb has a significant Jewish population.
Pro-Palestine protestors confronted a pro-Israel groupnear Princes Park after the synagogue was evacuated.
Rocks were reportedly thrown between the groups with police forced to deploy pepper spray to separate the warring crowds.
