Organisers of an anti-Israel rally planned for Melbourne’s CBD this weekend have cancelled the event following intense political, community and business backlash, but have signalled that a new protest will go ahead early next week.
The fringe group Anti-Zionism Australia confirmed on Friday that its planned Saturday rally at the State Library had been scrapped after internal discussions. However, the group said it would instead stage a “speak-out” on Monday on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament, opposing the federal government’s proposed adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and recommendations made by Australia’s antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal.
The cancelled rally had drawn widespread condemnation, particularly because it was scheduled on a weekend when funerals for victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack are being held. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the planned protests as “deeply inappropriate” and warned that anyone seeking to inflame hatred or division would be “dealt with by police”.
Segal’s report recommends tougher hate speech and hate crime laws, including provisions targeting violent or intimidating protest activity, stricter screening of foreign nationals for antisemitic views, and the withdrawal of funding from institutions that fail to address antisemitism. Anti-Israel groups argue the IHRA definition unfairly conflates Judaism with Zionism, a claim rejected by Jewish leaders.
Melbourne Rabbi Daniel Rabin strongly criticised the organisers, describing them as “morally bankrupt” and accusing weekly protests of normalising intimidation and dehumanisation. He said the timing of the planned rally showed a lack of respect for Jewish victims and their families.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also weighed in, urging the Allan government to consider urgent action to prevent potentially inflammatory protests, citing risks to public safety, social cohesion and economic activity during one of the busiest periods of the year in Melbourne’s CBD.
Victoria Police have declared the CBD a designated area over the Christmas and New Year period, giving officers expanded powers to stop and search protesters. While the Saturday rally has been cancelled, police confirmed they will maintain a presence at other planned demonstrations this weekend, stressing that public safety remains their top priority.
