AFP says people waving Hezbollah flags can't be arrested for protesting.

Melbourne was the site of a passionate and emotional display of support for Palestine over the weekend, as hundreds of people gathered to protest Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza. However, amongst the sea of pro-Palestine flags, there were some who chose to wave flags representing Hezbollah, a militant group that is considered a terrorist organization by Australia and other countries. While this may have raised concerns for some, the Australian Federal Police stated that these individuals did not meet the necessary criteria for arrest.

According to Victoria Police, the group carrying the Hezbollah flags were not affiliated with the organizers of the protest, which had a turnout of around 600 people. This small group also reportedly displayed framed pictures of the group's slain leader, who was recently killed in an Israeli air strike. Despite Hezbollah being a banned organization in Australia, publicly displaying their symbols is not always considered a criminal offense. In this case, the AFP stated that simply displaying a prohibited flag is not enough to warrant a terrorism charge.

During the demonstration, there were no arrests made by police. However, Victoria Police announced their intention to refer the individuals who waved the Hezbollah flags to the AFP for further action. It is important to note that while police officers have the power to direct someone to remove a prohibited symbol, they cannot do so themselves. This highlights the complexity of dealing with such situations and the need for cooperation between various agencies.

Premier Jacinta Allan strongly condemned the actions of the flag holders and expressed her expectation that Victoria Police and the AFP would take appropriate action. She emphasized that there is no place for hate or antisemitism on the streets of Melbourne. Allan also stated that the government is working towards strengthening anti-vilification laws in the state. Similarly, Shadow foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham called for swift and strong action to be taken against those promoting Hezbollah. He urged the government to not only use the laws in place to ban terrorist propaganda and symbols, but also to cancel visas of those involved.

In the end, while the display of Hezbollah flags may have caused concern, it is important to remember that the majority of the protesters were peacefully demonstrating their support for Palestine. The actions of a few should not overshadow the message of solidarity and call for justice that was being conveyed. It is a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced in balancing freedom of speech with the need to prevent incitement and violence.

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