There were ugly scenes in Melbourne city as hundreds of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups clashed with each other. With tensions flaring, a significant police presence blocked off streets and separated the rival demonstrators.

Melbourne

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Clashes erupted between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups during rallies in Melbourne's CBD. The confrontations occurred near Victoria's Parliament House, where a splinter group of pro-Palestinian protesters heckled pro-Israeli participants. Both rallies were held to express opposing views on the ongoing conflict, leading to heated exchanges and physical altercations.

Mounted police and public order response teams were on the scene, attempting to manage the situation and prevent violence. Despite these efforts, some individuals expressed feeling threatened and targeted by the opposing group. On one side, pro-Palestinian protesters marked the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, emphasizing the mass displacement of Palestinians during the Arab-Israeli war. On the other, pro-Israeli groups emphasized their desire for peace and called for the return of hostages.

Police managed to maintain multiple lines of defense to keep the groups separated. The marches were rerouted to avoid direct confrontation, although tensions remained high as protesters dispersed. The Jewish Council of Australia distanced itself from the pro-Israeli rally, emphasizing a focus on unity against hate. 

Observers have noted that rather than creating unity, the rallies highlight the deep-seated divisions within the community. Both sides continued to voice their perspectives vehemently, but no common ground appeared to be reached.



Palestinian and Israeli protestors clash in Melbourne

Clashes erupt along police lines across Melbourne's CBD, where a splinter group of pro-Palestinian protesters heckled pro-Israeli groups outside Victoria's Parliament House. They put us just on the floor. They wouldn't let us in. They scrimped in our faces about being baby killers. They must come to Israel and see what's going on. They were shouting that genocide, the Jews caused genocide, but we know that Hamas causes genocide. Mounted police and public order response teams attempted to subdue a minority intent on causing chaos. As warring rallies collided. Neither side showed signs of relenting. I feel like they want to kill us. You know, we're just going to a peaceful rally. They shouted us in Arabic, haws. Haws. Haws. Haws. We want peace. Bring our hostages back. We want peace. Peace. That's it. Live next to each other, not against each other. A kilometre away, pro-Palestinian groups marked the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, the mass displacement of Palestinians during the Arab-Israeli war. We've been witnessing a live genocide on our phones for eight months. The war crimes have not been slowing down. Their march was rerouted to avoid the pro-Israeli Never Again Is Now rally, but as their march ended, hundreds headed up the hill. Police have established multiple lines of defence to keep the rallies separated. The vast majority of protesters came to make noise, police quickly subduing those who came to make violence. The Jewish Council of Australia has distanced itself from the Never Again Is Now rally. They're not really about anti-Semitism. These are fundamentally pro-Israel rallies. They're supportive of Israel and the atrocities that Israel is committing at the moment. Billed as a stand of unity against hate, the rally seems to have only deepened divisions in an already divided community. Abbey Dinnam for 10 News First.

The Paris Olympic Games have officially opened with a ceremony in the rain along the River Seine. Athletes floated along on boats for the parade, while former French sprinter Marie-José Pérec and French judoka Teddy Riner lit the Olympic flame.

Paris

Paris Olympics

Paris Olympics underway after Opening Ceremony

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Taipei

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Chico

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Tsim Sha Tsui

Climate Crisis

Thousands evacuated in China as Typhoon makes landfall

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El Paso

Mexican drug lords arrested in El Paso

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Palm Beach

Netanyahu meets Trump, says working on cease-fire

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Kansas City

North Korean charged in U.S. cyberattacks

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France rail network attacked before Olympics

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Saboteurs attack French railways ahead of Olympic ceremony

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Fujian

Typhoon Gaemi lashes China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

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Caracas

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Washington

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Athletes navigate security risks at Paris 2024

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Typhoon Gaemi hits China after pounding Taiwan, Philippines

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Miranda

Man with knife and explosives arrested at Westfield

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Canberra

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Dhaka

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North Carolina

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Kathmandu

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Manila

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Israel-Gaza War