‘Death, death to the IDF' heard at pro-Palestine protest days after antisemitic attacks shake Melbourne's Jewish community
Violent chants, including 'death death to the IDF', have been heard at a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne less than 48 hours after a synagogue was targeted in an arson attack.
Demonstrators marched from the State Library to Flinders Street Station during their weekly protest on Sunday and on occasion were led in their chanting by young girls, including "Death to the IOF" - standing for "Israeli Occupational Forces".
A large watermelon banner which read 'Ceasefire Now' was paraded through Melbourne streets alongside some 1,000 demonstrators, who held signs reading: 'Death death to the IDF', 'Glory to the Martyrs' and 'Israel is a Fascist Entity'. — Mark Rowley (@MarkWRowley) July 6, 2025
Other signs read 'Deaf, deaf to the IDF' and 'You're sick of us? We're sick of Israel killing children'.
It came a week after British rapper Bobby, of the punk duo Bob Vylan, led chants of 'death, death to the IDF' at the Glastonbury music festival.
The offensive slogan was chanted about a 15 minute walk from the East Melbourne Synagogue and less than 48 hours after it was targeted by alleged arsonist Angelo Loras.
On the night of the attack, Israeli restaurant Miznon was stormed by a group of people chanting 'death to the IDF', which resulted in the arrest of one man.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin told Sky News the Australia was seeing a 'startling frequency and regularity' of antisemitic attacks and said there was a 'reticence' to face the reality of the growing hostilities towards the Jewish community.
'The Free Palestine movement is not a political movement, it's not a peace movement, it's not an anti-war movement, it's a violent ideology,' he said.
'We're seeing the effects of it in our cities right now and it needs to be grappled with. There's so much at stake here.'
Sky News host Caroline Marcus said the alleged arson attack and restaurant ambush were 'disturbing antisemitic attacks' but not 'surprising'.
Speaking from the grounds of the synagogue on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the alleged arson as 'an attack on Australia', amid concerns about domestic antisemitism.
'Arson attacks, the chanting calls for death, other attacks and graffiti — none of it belonged in Australia. And they were attacks on Australia,' he said.
The Sky News host said she was 'pleased' to see Mr Burke 'calling it out' but called it a gesture steeped in irony.
'I can't help but note the irony that he is among the government ministers to have done the most to increase the hostility towards the Jewish community,' Marcus said.
'From denying visas to Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked and an American Jewish advocate Hilel Fuld to his recent statements strongly supporting the reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi to represent Australia - despite his past works appearing very much to glorify Islamic terrorism.'
'On the other hand, at least he's there.'
However, Marcus noted the absence of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan who was 'conspicuously missing' since the Friday night attacks.
'Surely she should have been standing up first thing Saturday morning to address these (attacks),' she said.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Whistleblowers, Activists and Community Alliance (WACA) said a statement was posted on Instagram about the demonstration.
'Miznon restaurant on Hardware Lane in Naarm was chosen as a site for direct action by pro-Palestinian activists on Friday night because the owner, Israeli Shahar Segal, is the official spokesperson for GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation),' WACA said.
'While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians.'
According to the outlet, a source in the pro-Palestine movement called the protesters 'd**kheads' who think they are 'righteous and have the right to impact innocent bystanders' but instead ruing public opinion.
In a separate incident in Greensborough, a building belonging to defence company Lovitt Technologies Australia was doused in red paint. A vehicle within the property had a Palestinian flag spray painted on the bonnet.
On Friday, Premier Chris Minns' office was also targeted by protesters who waved flags, held up banners and chanted "Death death to the IDF".
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