Perth rabbi condemns pro-Palestine protest near Jewish primary school

A Perth rabbi has condemned the actions of pro-Palestinian protesters who chose to hold a demonstration close to a Jewish primary school. Perth Hebrew Congregation Chief Rabbi Daniel Lieberman said he witnessed up to eight people draped in Palestinian flags and carrying anti-Israel placards protesting near the school — which The West Australian has not named for safety reasons — for around an hour on Monday morning. Rabbi Lieberman said it was not acceptable to intimidate children or staff at a primary school. “You can have whatever protest you want, we live in Australia, it’s a free country,” he said. “But it is not appropriate to protest outside a school.” “I had to drive almost through them to get into the school carpark.” WA Police said one man was arrested and a number of move on notices were issued after a group of people gathered to protest outside a community hub around 9.50am. “Officers from Mirrabooka Police District and Central Regional Operations Group were in attendance and issued a number of move on notices,” a spokesman said. “One male was arrested; however, he has since been released without charge pending further inquiries.” The West understands that Israel’s former government spokesman and international media advisor Eylon Levy was inside a community centre near the school when the protest took place. Mr Levy was visiting Perth as part of a speaking tour of Australia which includes stops in Melbourne and Sydney. Rabbi Lieberman said while protesting was “perfectly legitimate”, he did not believe politics should be brought near primary schools. “It doesn’t matter what school it is. If it’s Perth Modern or Scotch College or any school, it’s not acceptable, it should not be outside a school. “Whether it’s international politics or domestic politics it doesn’t matter, children should be given the right to their childhood and not be involved in these things. “If you want to protest against governments or anything else, there are places and times in which to do that, and a primary school is not one.” The Australian Jewish Association also called out the protest, publishing a picture of police officers talking to demonstrators on its Facebook page. “It’s not appropriate to target innocent Jewish community facilities uninvolved in any conflict — including a school,” AJA president David Adler said.