A Sydney area anti-Israel protest devolved into a brawl with pro-Israel counter protesters on Sunday, after Jewish groups expressed concern about the allegedly provocative nature of holding a demonstration in an area with a high concentration of Jewish Australians.
The New South Wales Police said that it was still making inquiries into the Father's Day Bondi Beach brawl, and that there were no reports of injuries or arrests by the end of the day. There were no further incidents after the brawl, and the protest reportedly dissipated at noon. Police had maintained a heavy presence "to ensure community safety" in response to the unauthorized protest organized by Jews Against the Occupation 48 Australia.
The anti-Israel group said that the beach event was held in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona last Sunday to attempt a blockade run to Gaza. The activist also explained that they were marking Father's Day in commemoration of the Palestinians who had lost their children or fathers during the war.
"The event showed there is a strong anti-Zionist Jewish voice speaking out against Israel's genocide and expansionism," Jews Against Occupation said on Facebook. "And a wide range of local human rights groups had endorsed and participated in this peaceful action."
The group, which waved Palestinian flags, said that pro-Israel counter-protesters arrived to hurl threats and obscenities at them. Jewish and non-Jewish activists waving Australian and Israeli flags stood along the beach opposite the anti-Israel groups.
Pro-Israel group Lions of Zion organized the counter protest, stating in a Friday Instagram post that they would not allow "hate" or "support for terror" to be brought into their "backyard."
Concern about the event
The Australian Jewish Association said that it had expressed concern prior to the event, stating that "such a protest in the heart of Sydney’s Jewish community was an unnecessary provocation."
"Bondi is home to many synagogues, Kosher restaurants and Jewish businesses, some of which have already been targeted in recent antisemitic incidents," said AJA CEO Robert Gregory. "With more than 100 beaches across Sydney, the decision to choose Bondi was calculated to cause division and disturbance."
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman also expressed concern to 2GB on Friday, asserting that a protest at Bondi Beach was meant to be "provocative and to intimidate the Jewish community."
Waverley Council Mayor Will Nemesh told Sky News on Thursday that action should be taken against the beach protest if it were to be held.