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“Because we know what justice and religious freedom is about – Zionists don’t,” she said.
“Hope you got that loud and clear,” she finished, referring to the media.
It is not suggested the synagogue incident was linked to the attacks on the businesses.
The assaults prompted some Jewish leaders to voice wider concerns about antisemitism.
Speakers at Sunday’s rally, attended by a crowd of about 500, led chants of “Death, death to the IDF”, “From the river to the sea” and “Long live the intifada”.
Several Jewish leaders have condemned the “Death to the IDF” chant in recent days amid a broader debate about tightening the rules on public protest.
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said it was “perfectly legitimate” to criticise Israel’s government and its military while the war against Hamas continued – and that Israelis were doing this – but “false accusations” of genocide and calling for deaths went too far.
“If these protests were truly about simply concerns for civilian suffering in Gaza, it’s fair to say they wouldn’t be calling for more death,” he said.
Ihab al-Azhari, a Palestinian man, told the crowd non-violence was always expected of protesters, but violence was tolerated when perpetrated by Israel, for example attacks on hospitals and the use of starvation.
“We continue to resist; it doesn’t matter what’s happened. One day will come very soon, when Israel doesn’t exist at all,” he said.
Activist Sarah Baarini said Albanese used to “stand at protests just like these and call for justice and liberation for the Palestinian people”, but since coming to power he had done nothing for the cause.
She also criticised Albanese for taking advice from antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal after it emerged her husband’s business had donated $50,000 to right-wing group Advance Australia, which had been “pumping out anti-Palestinian hate”.
The protest emcee, named as Hajar on protest promotion material, decried Allan’s taskforce and described the premier as “despicable”.
Pro-Palestine protesters outside the State Library on Sunday.Credit: Penny Stephens
Speakers also mentioned there were Jewish Melburnians in attendance at Sunday’s protest.
An organiser said a convoy of protesters would head to Canberra next week to express their concerns at the doorstep of the federal government. They also have plans to march on Israel’s embassy there on July 22.
The protesters later marched to Collins Street and demonstrated outside the front of the Melbourne headquarters of the Future Fund.
Police said there were no arrests or significant issues at Sunday’s protest.
A large Palestinian flag was flown at half-mast, from the GPO building, which houses an H&M store.
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A source not authorised to speak publicly said those who installed the flag probably scaled the building to access the tower and then broke into the building to access the flagpole.
The GPO said in a statement that the matter was referred to police and so it would not comment further.
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