Tense stand-off at Bondi Beach between Palestine, Israel protesters

Pro-Israel and Palestinian protest groups have engaged in a tense stand-off at Bondi Beach because of a paddle-out supporting Gazans caught up in the conflict in the Middle East.

The protest and counter-protests were separated by a heavy police contingent at the iconic beach on Sunday, the two sides shouting at one another across the line of officers.

Israeli and Australian flags are flown protesting a pro-Palestine event at Bondi Beach.Credit: Edwina Pickles

The stand-off began after pro-Palestine groups organised a paddle-out at Bondi. Posters for the demonstration invited “surfers, Bondi residents and Palestine supporters” to join the gathering.

But some Jewish groups took exception to the protest. The conservative Australian Jewish Association helped to coordinate a counter-protest to the event, claiming it was “provocative” to hold the paddle out in Bondi because of the eastern suburb’s large Jewish population.

“The whole sub of Bondi is on edge, everyone is nervous,” AJA chief executive Robert Gregory told Seven News in the lead up to the event, claiming the pro-Palestinian protesters were “troublemakers coming from outside the area”.

The scene at Bondi Beach on Sunday morning.Credit: Edwina Pickles

The paddle-out was also opposed by Waverley mayor Will Nemesh, who attempted to have it blocked by writing to the NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

But organisers of the paddle-out have said the action was a peaceful event. Michelle Berkon, from the group Jews Against the Occupation, told Seven News pro-Israel groups have “no right to claim Bondi is their backyard”.

More to come.

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