Australian Israel-haters (or should that be Australian-hating Israel-haters) continue to show who they are, threatening to “cancel Christmas” by causing retail giant Myer to cancel their Christmas window launch event – a 70-year tradition.
Pro-Palestine activists have vowed to continue initial plans to cause chaos at the Myer Christmas windows if the retailer decides to hold the launch event on Sunday.
Pro-Palestine protesters had planned to converge on Bourke Street Mall on Sunday, prompting Myer to cancel the launch of its window — a longstanding Melbourne tradition — due to the risk to customers and staff.
But on Friday, a group called Crash the Christmas Windows — understood to be a splinter group of the larger Disrupt Wars protest movement — said they would not go ahead with their threatened action.
Crash the Christmas Windows organiser Amy Settal said the group had planned to disrupt the famous Myer windows opening but had not wanted to target children.
“The intention was to interrupt the media spectacle and economic gain sought by Myer,” Ms Settal said in a statement
“The children coming to see the Myer Christmas windows were never a target, because children are not a target.
“In light of Myer’s decision to cancel their window reveal event, planned disruptions will not go ahead.”
When later asked by the Herald Sun if the group would reinstate plans to disrupt the event if Myer announced they would press on with Sunday’s formal launch event, Ms Settal said: “Yes”.
Myer has not responded to questions about whether they would reinstate the launch of its much-loved Christmas tradition.
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A Myer spokesman on Thursday said the launch had been called off due to safety concerns.
“In light of recent developments and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers and team members, we will no longer hold an event on Bourke Street Mall for the unveiling of our Christmas windows,” the spokesman said.
“Myer’s Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors.”
The good news is more and more people are waking up to these vile people:
A furious Jacinta Allan on Friday dubbed the protesters “morons” and promised new Victorian laws would crack down on divisive behaviour.
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“Do we really think the same sort of morons who want to disrupt beautiful Christmas tradition for families are going to apply for a permit? They won’t.
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“Everyone has the right to come together to add their voice in demonstration about a particular issue.
“What comes with that right is not a right to divide, not a right to cause division, not a right to hate.”
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Earlier on Friday, Ms Allan said: “I am furious that a small group of people have chosen to politicise a beautiful event for children”.
“I’m just as mad at all the others who have quietly stoked this division and egged them on.
“Blocking the Christmas windows won’t change a thing in the Middle East, but it will let down a bunch of kids in Melbourne.
“Who does that help? We are all a bit sick of this stuff.
“People have a right to demonstrate, no one has a right to divide.
“We cannot let ugly protests ruin a beautiful Christmas tradition, and we cannot let violence, division and vilification ruin what makes Victoria great.”
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The threat to target the windows launch sparked a chorus of criticism from politicians, business figures and Jewish leaders, who branded it “hateful”.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry — the state’s peak business lobby group — called on the government, council and police to take urgent action to stop ugly protests from ruining the city.
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Jewish community leader and Anti-Defamation chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said: “Is nothing sacred anymore? In a city that already faces so much division, this brazen attempt to inject hateful, divisive rhetoric into a season of joy and togetherness by anti-Israel protesters is a line in the sand”.
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Lord Mayor Nick Reece said targeting the Myer windows would do nothing to help the protesters’ cause.
“For this to be targeted for protest is disgraceful,” he said.
“Whatever your feelings might be about the war going on in Israel and Gaza, targeting the Myer Christmas windows in Bourke St Mall is not going to do anything to help.
“It’s only going to enrage people here in Melbourne and not help the cause at all.
Mr Reece expressed his “outrage” at the cancellation of the unveiling.
“This is a small group of people seeking to divide and cause disruption,” he said.
“They are the minority — and Melbourne is bigger than a noisy minority.
“The current situation of weekly protests and disruptions is unacceptable and cannot continue.
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Deputy Liberal leader and Caulfield MP David Southwick said the windows were “an institution”.
“These pathetic protesters hate our city and hate our state,” he said.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said: “These displays are more than festive decorations, they are cherished traditions that draw families and visitors into our CBD, boosting Melbourne’s economy and supporting the livelihood of countless local retailers.”
“Continuous disruptions of this kind send a clear, troubling signal: if action isn’t taken now, the vibrancy and sustainability of our retail sector will be under dire threat.
“It is imperative that the city enforces measures to protect businesses and uphold public safety, or risk facing a future where the CBD becomes a shadow of its former self, devoid of thriving retailers who can no longer bear the brunt of repeated disturbances.
“Let’s not forget that Christmas is also a religious festival, as well as a time for celebration for the majority of Victorians, and the Myer windows are iconic for Melbourne at Christmas time. It is completely disrespectful for a minority group to disrupt the joy for the majority of Victorians.”
It is also important to point out that those behind the disrespectful protest are not just fringe anti-Israel groups; the face of “Australian” Israel-haters – AIPAN President Nasser Mashni – has this to say about it:
Not that I am surprised. Last year, I accused him of being the chief instigator behind the disruption of a Christmas “Carols by Candlelight” event in Melbourne.
These actions should remind people what these haters truly stand for. It is not just about hatred of Jews and the Jewish state, but rather part of a neo Marxist worldview that wants to see the demise of Western civilization – a worldwide “decolonization” as it were. Nasser et al. have made very clear that they see Australia – like Israel – as an illegal colony that should be destroyed.
So of course they care very little about Christmas, a religious holiday that for the most part is symbolic of the West and the Judeo-Christian values upon which it is built. The irony is that these Neo-Marxists are aligned with Islamic supremacists, the ultimate colonists.
Meanwhile I should also point out that Myer was founded by Sidney Myer, a Russian Jew who emigrated to Melbourne in 1899. And that, my friends, is the difference between us and them. We build and they destroy.
