Synagogue fire, ugly restaurant confrontation spark mixed response from advocates
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said the broader pro-Palestinian movement disavowed the attacker, but resented being asked to explicitly condemn the synagogue fire, saying holy sites in Gaza had been relentlessly attacked.
'Whoever you are... you should know that we know that the only thing stopping you attacking a church or a mosque is that it's not quite opportune.
'You are not part of us, you are not part of our movement. We disavow you absolutely, entirely and completely. And I hope the police catch up with you soon.'
Mashni, who is currently travelling in the United Kingdom, made the comments after the front doors of the East Melbourne synagogue were set on fire as families gathered for their weekly Shabbat dinner.
Loading
A man from Sydney has been charged over the attack.
The same evening there were ugly scenes in the CBD when Israeli restaurant Miznon was stormed by a group of people chanting 'Death to the IDF', leading to one man from Footscray being arrested at the scheme.
Separately, a building in Greensboro that houses a military parts manufacturer was also daubed with red paint on Friday evening.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Kneecap band appears at UK court on terrorism charge
Hundreds of fans have turned out to support a member of Irish rap group Kneecap at a London court as he sought to throw out a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who was initially charged under the Anglicised name Liam O'Hanna and whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the yellow flag of Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London on November 21, 2024. Ó hAnnaidh is accused of holding up the flag on stage while saying "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". Kneecap have said the flag was thrown on stage during their performance. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, which makes it a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Ó hAnnaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday wearing the keffiyeh scarf associated with the Palestinian cause and had to fight his way through a scrum of photographers to get inside the building. He sat alongside an Irish language interpreter during the hearing and his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin, stage name Móglaí Bap, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who goes by DJ Próvaí, were also in court, with supporters filling the public gallery. Irish music was played outside the court throughout the hearing, with many supporters waving Irish and Palestinian flags while others held placards reading "Free Mo Chara". Ó hAnnaidh's lawyers say the charge was brought too late and the prosecution case should be thrown out as Ó hAnnaidh was formally charged on May 22 this year, one day after the six-month limit for such charges. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, however, argued that Ó hAnnaidh was charged on May 21, within the time limit. Judge Paul Goldspring said he would give a decision on September 26. Ó hAnnaidh left the court to cheers from supporters, telling the crowd the charge against him was "a distraction from the real story" of Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the charge was an attempt to silence them. The group – who rap about Irish identity and support the republican cause of uniting Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland – have been increasingly vocal about the war in the Gaza Strip since Ó hAnnaidh was charged. Kneecap led a 30,000-strong crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in June in chants against Prime Minister Keir Starmer and accused Israel of committing war crimes in its conflict with Hamas, an accusation Israel denies.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Kneecap band appears at UK court on terrorism charge
Hundreds of fans have turned out to support a member of Irish rap group Kneecap at a London court as he sought to throw out a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who was initially charged under the Anglicised name Liam O'Hanna and whose stage name is Mo Chara, is alleged to have waved the yellow flag of Hezbollah during a Kneecap gig in London on November 21, 2024. Ó hAnnaidh is accused of holding up the flag on stage while saying "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". Kneecap have said the flag was thrown on stage during their performance. The 27-year-old was charged in May under the Terrorism Act, which makes it a criminal offence to display an article in a way which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone is a supporter of a proscribed organisation. Ó hAnnaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday wearing the keffiyeh scarf associated with the Palestinian cause and had to fight his way through a scrum of photographers to get inside the building. He sat alongside an Irish language interpreter during the hearing and his bandmates Naoise Ó Cairealláin, stage name Móglaí Bap, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who goes by DJ Próvaí, were also in court, with supporters filling the public gallery. Irish music was played outside the court throughout the hearing, with many supporters waving Irish and Palestinian flags while others held placards reading "Free Mo Chara". Ó hAnnaidh's lawyers say the charge was brought too late and the prosecution case should be thrown out as Ó hAnnaidh was formally charged on May 22 this year, one day after the six-month limit for such charges. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove, however, argued that Ó hAnnaidh was charged on May 21, within the time limit. Judge Paul Goldspring said he would give a decision on September 26. Ó hAnnaidh left the court to cheers from supporters, telling the crowd the charge against him was "a distraction from the real story" of Israel's actions in the Palestinian territories. Belfast-based Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English and regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, previously said the charge was an attempt to silence them. The group – who rap about Irish identity and support the republican cause of uniting Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland – have been increasingly vocal about the war in the Gaza Strip since Ó hAnnaidh was charged. Kneecap led a 30,000-strong crowd at the Glastonbury Festival in June in chants against Prime Minister Keir Starmer and accused Israel of committing war crimes in its conflict with Hamas, an accusation Israel denies.
Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Direct evidence'': Albanese ‘rewarded' Hamas with Palestinian recognition
Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash says the 'direct evidence' shows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese 'rewarded' Hamas with Palestinian recognition. 'The direct evidence is there, Mr Albanese has indeed rewarded the terrorists Hamas who butchered and slaughtered Israelis on October 7, 2023,' Ms Cash told Sky News host Sharri Markson. 'In fact, he has given them what they themselves have described as the fruits of October 7.'
