Synagogue fire, ugly restaurant confrontation spark mixed response from advocates

2 weeks ago 16

One of the Melbourne leaders of the pro-Palestinian protest movement has “disavowed” the arson attack on an East Melbourne synagogue, while another group told people to “stop clutching their pearls” over ugly scenes at an Israeli restaurant on Friday night.

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.

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network head Nasser Mashni at a rally in October.

“Whoever you are ... you should know that we know that the only thing stopping you [from] 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.

A man from Sydney has been charged over the attack.

The same evening, ugly scenes unfolded in the CBD when Israeli restaurant Miznon was stormed by a group of people chanting “death to the IDF”, leading to the arrest of a man from Footscray at the scene.

Separately, a building in Greensborough that houses a military parts manufacturer was daubed with red paint on Friday evening.

His comments came as hundreds of protesters headed into the CBD on Sunday to attend the weekly protest in support of the Palestinian people, while other religious groups planned a gathering to condemn the attack at Parliament House later in the day.

In his social media post, Mashni also expressed frustration that he had been buffeted with media requests to condemn the synagogue attack.

“I’m being asked by reporters to condemn the attack on the East Melbourne Synagogue. Let’s be clear, there’s not a holy site untouched in Gaza in 21 months. Nothing. Where is your reporting on that? Where are your demands for condemnation of Zionists for this genocide?”

Mashni’s comments came as a group tied to the Miznon incident sought to explain the rationale for the confrontation in a social media post.

“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],” the Whistleblowers, Activists & Communities Alliance (WACA) said in its social media post.

“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.”

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.