Man hit by rock during violent protest near burnt-out Caulfield shop

Victoria Police Inspector Scott Dwyer told reporters on Friday afternoon that he was “very confident” the fire was not motivated by prejudice. On Saturday, police said the investigation into the cause of the fire at the takeaway food shop was ongoing.

The state MP for Caulfield, deputy Liberal leader David Southwick, said what happened on Friday evening was a disgrace.

“To enter the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community, terrorise people outside their synagogue, and throw rocks at Jews is appalling beyond words,” Southwick said in a statement posted to social media. “This is not the Victoria I know and love.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the violence in Caulfield was unacceptable. “There is no place for violence, no place for antisemitism and no place for Islamophobia in Australia,” she said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday morning.

“People come to Australia because they want to live in a country that is peaceful, tolerant and respectful. We all must protect that,” Wong said.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria and Community Security Group Victoria released a joint statement following the altercation, published by The Australian Jewish News on Saturday. They said members congregating at a synagogue near Princes Park were asked to go home for their own safety.

A car displaying a Palestinian flag passes a group waved Israeli flags in Caulfield.Credit: Simon Schluter

In a statement posted to its Facebook page, Free Palestine Melbourne said it had chosen Princes Park as a “neutral public area” and apologised for holding the protest in support of Burgertory and its staff near the synagogue.

“Organisers were unaware that there was a synagogue across the park … We apologise to the Jewish community for the protest location that led to the evacuation of the synagogue, for any fear they may have felt and for the cancellation of Shabbat,” the statement said. “It was never out intention to disrupt or intimidate Jewish worshippers.”

Shabbat is a holy day of rest observed by Jews from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday each week. Free Palestine Melbourne said its demonstration had ended at 8pm and that tensions escalated after that.

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“This was not a protest in support of Palestine, rather a solidarity protest with victims of an anti-Palestinian hate crime in Australia,” the group said. “Hash Tayah and all Palestinians have every right to expect that they are free to live and work without racism or hatred.”

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria and Community Security Group Victoria said the police presence along Hawthorn Road had largely managed to keep the protest under control.

“[The protest] created a heightened sense of fear and anxiety in our community and was highly disruptive for local residents,” the statement said.

The Jewish groups urged members to “continue advocating for our community, for Israel and for the safe return of the hostages while being aware of their personal safety”.

“We urge the community to refrain from any activity which heightens tensions or puts your personal safety at risk,” they said.

Police separate the two groups as clashes over Gaza broke out near Princes Park in Caulfield.Credit: Lachlan Abbott

“We must go about our lives knowing that the Victorian Jewish community is proud and strong, and we have many organisations and individuals working tirelessly to support us.”

The clashes on Friday night follows the arrest of at least four people during a pro-Palestine rally at Flemington Racecourse on Melbourne Cup day. Free Palestine Melbourne has arranged another demonstration in Melbourne on Sunday.

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