The weekend’s violence reflects what Jewish leaders call a “startling frequency and regularity” of antisemitic attacks since the Gaza war began.
Pro-Hamas demonstrators marched through Melbourne Sunday chanting “death to the IDF” just 48 hours after a Sydney man tried to burn down a synagogue with 20 worshipers inside.
According to Sky News, close to 1,000 demonstrators marched from the State Library to Flinders Street Station, led by young girls calling for “Death to the IOF” – short for “Israeli Occupational Forces.”
Placards seen in the crowd bore similar antisemitic messaging, including “Death to the IDF,” “Glory to the Martyrs” and “Israel is a Fascist Entity.”
The protest route took demonstrators within a 15-minute walk of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, which was set on fire by a suspect identified as 34-year-old Angelo Loras on Friday night.
Thankfully, the twenty congregants escaped unharmed through a rear exit as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Loras appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday charged with arson, endangering life and property damage, and possessing a “controlled weapon.”
Magistrate John Lesser remanded Loras in custody to appear next in court on July 22.
Within hours of the synagogue attack, more than 20 protesters stormed Miznon restaurant on Hardware Lane, an Israeli-owned establishment.
Some shouted “Death to the IDF” during the incident, which resulted in one arrest.
Police also investigated a third incident where vehicles at defense contractor Lovitt Technologies Australia were set ablaze and spray-painted with Palestinian flags and antisemitic graffiti.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke visited the synagogue Sunday alongside Jewish community leaders.
“At this stage, our authorities have not drawn links between them. But obviously there’s a link in antisemitism. There’s a link in bigotry. There’s a link in a willingness to either call for violence, to chant violence or to take out violent actions. They are very much linked in that way,” he said.
“There were three attacks that night, and none of them belonged in Australia. Arson attacks, the chanting calls for death, other attacks and graffiti — none of it belonged in Australia, and they were attacks on Australia.”
The weekend’s violence reflects what Jewish leaders call a “startling frequency and regularity” of antisemitic attacks since the Gaza war began.
“Those who chant for death are not peace activists. Those who would burn houses of prayer with families inside do not seek an end to war,” said Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin in a statement.
“There is a violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements, that taps into anger and prejudice, and smirks as businesses are destroyed, lives are threatened and proud, patriotic Australians experience fear in their own homes and their own streets.”
The post ‘Death to IDF’ rallies sweep Melbourne 48 hours after synagogue set ablaze appeared first on World Israel News.
