A man has been arrested after tensions ran high outside a Melbourne synagogue as pro-Israel supporters gathered to counter a pro-Palestinian crowd.
Background: Victoria Police said 150 people gathered at Caulfield Shule on Monday evening after a planned pro-Palestinian protest was called off at the last minute due to safety concerns.
Despite the cancellation, there was a visible police presence near the synagogue in Caulfield North, in Melbourne's south-east, where Israeli flags significantly outnumbered Palestinian ones.
Specialist police encircled a small group of pro-Palestinian supporters, who held anti-Zionist signs saying "nothing is more antisemitic than Zionism", in an attempt to keep them from the larger pro-Israel group.
The planned demonstration was in response to a talk organised by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council that included former Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked, whose visa into Australia was reportedly rejected.
Pro-Palestinian activists were separated from pro-Israel protesters by police during a rally in Melbourne on Monday. Source: AAP / Diego Fedele
Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the small group of activists as "morons" before they walked back plans to interrupt the retailer's famed festive display unveiling event.
What happens next: A 39-year-old Brunswick East man is expected to be charged with breaching the peace and failing to move on.
He was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 14 March.
