'Act of intimidation': Liberal senator backs calls to ban city centre pro-Palestinian protests

Dave Sharma also backed calls to ban pro-Palestinian protests near places of worship, a measure under consideration by the NSW government.

Liberal senator Dave Sharma said while he respects the protesters' right to peaceful assembly, the frequency and location of these protests have turned into an "act of intimidation". Source: AAP / /

Liberal senator Dave Sharma has backed the antisemitism envoy's call for pro-Palestinian protests to be banned from Australian city centres, saying they've been allowed to "dominate" streets and are impinging upon the rights of others.

Last week, the government's special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, said while she understood protesters' concerns over the war and their right to demonstrate, restrictions should be placed on when and where such rallies are allowed to take place.

"There should be places designated away from where the Jewish community might venture, where people can demonstrate," she said.

Speaking to SBS News at a pro-Israel rally on Sunday, Sharma said pro-Palestinian protesters "have been allowed to dominate our streets in a way that has impinged upon the rights of other Australians".

"I respect their right to peaceful assembly and protest, but I think the frequency and the location of these protests now is in itself an act of intimidation," he said.

Sharma also backed calls for protests to be banned near places of worship — a move being considered by the NSW government.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also backed calls for the banning of protests outside places of worship.

"I also don't see why they should be allowed every week to disrupt the central business district and shopping districts of our major capital cities in a way that means Jewish Australians stay completely away," Sharma said.

"I think that's a loss of their rights."

Sharma said, in contrast, pro-Israeli protests were not happening weekly, and they "work alongside the police".

"They're not happening outside mosques — they're not going to Lakemba or the heart of Australia's Muslim community," he said.

"They're doing it in a way I think that is respectful to other communities."

Organisers of pro-Palestinian protests have previously said the demonstrations are peaceful and have condemned any attendees who make anti-Jewish remarks or wield flags from proscribed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Jewish Australians have also formed part of pro-Palestinian protests.

Segal's comments come in the wake of recent attacks on Jewish communities in Sydney and Melbourne. An arson attack took place at the Addas Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea on 6 December. Separately, a vehicle was set on fire, and buildings were vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney's east last week.