A group of people at a pro-Palestine demonstration in Sydney have been filmed shouting vile anti-Semitic abuse.
Footage appears to show the small group shouting “gas the Jews” outside the city’s Opera House on Monday night.
Local state police have since announced they are investigating to determine whether a criminal offence was committed.
Around 1,000 Palestine supporters marched to the iconic spot after it was lit with the colours of the Israeli flag in an act of solidarity.
Organisers Palestine Action Group Sydney denounced the “vile anti-Semitic attendees” on social media and said they were not part of their demonstration.
The group said: “We are an anti-racist and anti-colonial movement and we refuse to fight racism with racism.
“If you are an antisemite, you are not welcome at our rallies and are not a part of our movement. As we did (On Monday), we will ask you to leave and we will continue to do this.”
It went on to estimate that the people chanting the slogans were ‘less than 20 people’ – although this has not been confirmed by anyone else.
The activists also stressed their right to protest against Israel, which they describe as a “genocidal apartheid regime which has waged war on Palestinians for over 75 years”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded by calling the anti-Semitism “horrific”.
He said: “We are a tolerant multicultural nation.”
“I understand that people have deep views about issues relating to the Middle East conflict but here in Australia we have to deal with political discourse in a respectful way.”
Meanwhile in London, tensions have also been high over the past few days, with three people arrested during protests over the conflict.
Children who attend The Jewish Free School (JFS) in Kenton have been told they do not have to wear their uniforms if they are scared of being identified.
In an email to parents seen by the Times, JFS said: “I think the badge of our school, which has been a safe haven for Jews for nearly 300 years, is important, but should students wish to not wear a blazer then I would understand that decision. As such, they will be optional for the next week.”
Similarly, at the Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) in Barnet, heightened security checks are being carried out on people entering the site, amid “heightened vigilance”.
The glass door to a kosher restaurant in Golders Green was smashed on Sunday night with the graffiti “Free Palestine!” painted on a bridge in the prominent Jewish area.
In an earlier statement, the Metropolitan Police said it was “aware that this conflict has a far-reaching impact on communities” in the capital.
“We are listening and working with communities and partners to ensure people feel safe and protected,” it said. “We ask that members of the public report anything concerning, such as threatening behaviour.”
