Hostile conflict erupts in Melbourne suburb Caulfield after burger store owned by pro-Palestine rally attendee was set alight

Tensions have risen in a prominent Jewish community in Victoria following an alleged arson attack on the day when a pro-Palestinian rally was slated to take place.

Burgertory on the corner of Glen Huntly Rd and Hawthorn Road in Melbourne suburb Caulfield was set alight about 4.30am on Friday. 

The owner of the store, Hash Tayeh, sparked controversy last week when footage showed him chanting “from the river to the sea” in a pro-Palestine protest.

Mr Tayeh copped heavy backlash following the release of the footage and his store subsequently received a wave of negative reviews and calls for it to be boycotted.

He wrote an open letter to the Jewish community in response to the vision, denying claims he was anti-Semitic.

“I write to address the troubling rumors (sic) that have been circulating about myself, suggesting that I hold anti-Semitic sentiments due to my attendance at pro-Palestinian rallies,” he wrote.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that these rumors (sic) are unfounded and far from the truth.”

Mr Tayeh also posted to Burgertory’s Instagram story on Friday, calling for the rally to not go ahead in the evening.

Victoria Police said the building was “completely destroyed” and was being treated as suspicious.

“The exact cause of the fire is being investigated and at this stage the fire does not appear to be racially motivated,” Vic Police said in a statement.

“Detectives are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone that may have seen any suspicious activity in the area at the time.”

Later on Friday a confrontation emerged out the front of the store with police having to attend the defuse the situation

A caller told 3AW Melbourne host Tom Elliott “punches were thrown” in the heated incident which occurred in broad daylight.

“Punches were thrown. Luckily for everybody police were on hand to separate them and (it) was really, really ugly,” he said.

He claimed the incident occurred when a group of non-Jews confronted Jewish people.

“They deliberately came to fight. I can clearly see they push and shove, called (them) Zionistic. The guys just really wanted to fight, they physically started pushing, shoving, throwing the punches.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson said several people were detained briefly “in an effort to keep the peace” while one female was arrested before being released after failing to provide identification. No one was injured in the incident.

A pro-Palestinian rally was slated to take place on Glen Huntly Rd at 7pm on Friday with local rabbi Rabbi Rav Noam writing a letter to the Jewish community in the afternoon to advise them to stay safe.

“As you may very well be aware, there is heightened tension in the area of our Shul in the aftermath of the fire on the corner of Hawthorn and Glenhuntly,” he said.

“We are aware that this evening at 7pm there is a planned protest outside Burgertory.

“Certainly we suggest that people avoid the area tonight to and from Shul and remain hyper-vigilant for anything or anyone suspicious.”

Member for Caulfield David Southwick told Sky News Australia host Steve Price he was concerned of a rise of anti-Semitism in Melbourne.

“There is no question that all of this is creating such nervousness in the community,” he said.

“It’s horrific in terms of Jews being targeted for something that they’ve had nothing to do with and to think this all started with the murder of 1400 people, 240 hostages that have been taken…and yet Jews are responsible for all of this? I can’t believe how quickly things have turned.”

Victorian Libertarian MP David Limbrick said it was “absolutely outrageous” a pro-Palestine rally was set to take place in a community with such a strong Jewish population.

“This isn’t a protest, this is a confrontation,” he told Sky News Australia host Rita Panahi.

“I think people really need to hold up a bit and think about what they’re doing here because they we don’t want this to escalate any further.”