The Australian police have reportedly launched an investigation after a large group of anti-Israel protesters stood on the steps of the Sydney Opera House and chanted, “Gas the Jews.” The phrase is in reference to Jewish people being forced into gas chambers under Hitler’s rule during WWII.
The protest included about 1,000 participants who gathered outside the Sydney Opera House Monday night, where many were apparently carrying Palestinian flags and setting off flares. The footage was shared by the Australian Jewish Association and featured individuals chanting, “Gas the Jews,” “F**k the Jews,” and “Allahu Akbar.”
ABC News reported that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese referred to the incident as “reprehensible” and “appalling.”
The report mentioned that the protest was kicked off in central Sydney after Hamas carried out a number of attacks against Israel over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of hundreds and injuring thousands. Israel quickly responded by launching rockets into Gaza.
A total of 687 Palestinians have been killed since the attacks started.
Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign affairs minister, said, “I think we should all be concerned,” adding that “there is no place in Australia for anti-Semitism or prejudice or hatred of any kind and we should all stand firm against the sort of anti-Semitic language that unfortunately some engaged [in] — just as we should stand firm against all prejudice,” per the Guardian.
A number of protesters associated with Palestine Action Group Sydney claimed that there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, suggesting that it was “peaceful.” The New York Post reported that the group attempted to distance itself from a “tiny fringe” of attendees who were characterized as anti-Semitic.
“From our observations [the chanting] occurred for less than one minute and was not an ongoing chant,” the group reportedly said.
“They were quickly condemned for their chants and asked to leave. Long-standing Palestinian organizers and activists, Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim elders attending the protest were disgusted and deplored by the action,” the group added.
“This is not what our movement stands for.”
However, the footage quickly went viral on social media, which prompted a police investigation into the situation. Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said that “this is not about us condoning, supporting, facilitating any process. … This is about us providing for the public safety.”
The NSW Police assured the public that those who were found to have participated in “racial vilification or incitement of hatred or incitement of violence” would be charged for their actions.
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