Carols by Candlelight gatecrasher is arrested after pro-Palestinian activists stormed the stage in Melbourne
A pro-Palestinian protester has been arrested after interrupting the annual Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne on Sunday.
A 21-year-old Brunswick woman was arrested and ticketed for carrying a controlled weapon while a second person was taken away by police.
A further two protesters were refused entry to the event, according to a statement from Victoria Police.
On Christmas Eve, children performing on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl stage were rushed to safety after several protesters carrying Palestinian flags descended from nowhere to interrupt the show.
Channel 9 cameras filmed presenters David Campbell and Sarah Abo as the incident unfolded during the live broadcast.
Carols by Candlelight hosts David Campbell and Sarah Abo were interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters who stormed the stage
The pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Sunday
One protester even tried to take Campbell’s microphone and managed to say “while you’re singing, children are dying in Gaza” before the audio cut out.
Mr. Campbell interrupted his scripted dialogue when he realized the commotion on stage was not part of the show.
“Wait a minute,” he said.
‘Fun and easy.’
The singer tried to keep the crowd calm and informed as security guards removed the protesters from the stage.
“It’s all good, thank you everyone, everyone can have their moment,” Campbell said.
‘The children are safe and they are coming out again.
‘It is important to also come together on an evening like this, when there is a lot of pain and many people are experiencing it.’
A protester is dragged off stage by security after interrupting Christmas tradition
The crowd was heard applauding the security officers as they dragged the pro-Palestinian protester away
His co-host thanked the crew for their quick action in safely removing the protesters.
“It’s the climate, we’re in Melbourne,” Ms Abo said.
‘Here too, the team’s work is incredible.’
Anti-Defamation Commission Chairman Dvir Abramovich was highly critical of the incident, describing it as “intimidation tactics.”
“Carols by Candlelight was once a safe place for families to celebrate the beauty of Christmas, but not anymore as this tornado of prejudice destroys our sense of security,” he said.
“I trust that law enforcement will identify those responsible for such despicable actions and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
The audience applauded as the children returned to the stage and the show continued.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, condemned the disruption on Sunday.
“You can always count on anti-Israel extremists to do everything they can and deter decent, ordinary people,” Mr. Ryvchin said.
“The chorus of boos tells them loud and clear that they are not wanted.”