Double standards claim over synagogue attack response

The Advertiser

08-07-2025

Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions.
Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters.
Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing.
A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians.
Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws.
"There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said.
Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights.
"The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said.
Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday.
The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs.
About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force.
Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night.
The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants.
"We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post.
Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest.
Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday.
She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians.
Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones.
Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy.
Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community.
The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests.
Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions.
Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters.
Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing.
A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians.
Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws.
"There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said.
Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights.
"The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said.
Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday.
The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs.
About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force.
Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night.
The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants.
"We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post.
Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest.
Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday.
She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians.
Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones.
Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy.
Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community.
The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests.
Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions.
Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters.
Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing.
A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians.
Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws.
"There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said.
Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights.
"The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said.
Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday.
The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs.
About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force.
Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night.
The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants.
"We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post.
Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest.
Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday.
She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians.
Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones.
Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy.
Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community.
The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests.
Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
Political leaders have been accused of double standards on Palestinian Australians as action is taken over a spate of incidents involving Jewish institutions.
Worshippers were forced to flee the East Melbourne Synagogue after it was firebombed on the same night Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD was targeted by pro-Palestine protesters.
Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over Friday night's synagogue firebombing.
A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after the incidents, as federal leaders promise more action to protect Jewish Australians.
Palestinian Australians have accused leaders of political silence, suspicion, hostility or surveillance when it comes to their plight and say they are met with protest crackdowns and threatened with repressive laws.
"There have been no task forces, no public statements of care for Palestinians as they watch their loved ones massacred by the genocidal state of Israel, or are targeted by anti-Palestinian racism here in Australia," Australian Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said.
Mr Mashni demanded political leaders stop criminalising Palestinian resistance, grief and political expression and engage in meaningful consultation and inclusion in decisions that affect their lives and rights.
"The longer political leaders ignore and avoid us, the more obvious their double standards become," he said.
Miznon's owners have spoken of the "profound impact" of the incident on Friday.
The demonstration outside the Hardware Lane restaurant ended with protesters smashing a glass door, up-ending tables and throwing chairs.
About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force.
Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night.
The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants.
"We respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same," the owners said in an Instagram post.
Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest.
Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront protesters at the restaurant.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spoke to community members and inspected the damage during a visit to the synagogue on Tuesday.
She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians.
Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism, but he pushed back against hosting a national cabinet, saying people want action instead of more meetings.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones.
Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy.
Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community.
The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests.
Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.