Victoria Police have launched an official investigation after a Jewish activist and commentator was “throat grabbed” while reporting on an October 7 vigil “honouring Palestinian martyrs”.
Lawyers representing Rebel News correspondent Avi Yemini wrote to Victoria Police last week alleging an officer grabbed him by the throat before saying words to the effect of “I live in North Caulfield… I’ll f***ing see you around”.
In an official response sent out on Wednesday, Victoria Police’s Conduct and Professional Standards Division informed Yemini they would be conducting a “formal investigation” into the incident.
In their legal letter sent to Victoria Police, Yemini’s legal representatives said the incident had been “totally disproportionate” and unnecessary.
“The throat grab plainly constituted a battery consisting of intentional physical contact without consent or lawful justification,” the legal letter states.
“The act was totally disproportionate and not necessary to either prevent an indictable offence or effect a lawful arrest, and therefore cannot be justified under s 462A of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).
“The officer’s accompanying remarks were clearly designed to menace and intimidate our client.”
The letter also accuses police of continually impeding Yemini’s work as a journalist by threatening him with arrest if he continued to report on the event.
The incident occurred outside Victoria’s State Library last week after Yemini confronted a Hamas supporter at the pro-Palestine “vigil for Gaza”.
The Vigil for Gaza was promoted as a “sit-in service” and commemoration “honouring Palestinian martyrs of Zionist genocide”.
It was held on the third anniversary of the October 7 attack when Hamas terrorists murdered approximately 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped a further 251.
Footage live-streamed by Yemini and uploaded to YouTube shows the event was relatively subdued until the Rebel News correspondent confronted well-known Palestinian activist Ihab Al Azhari.
“This is the guy who said he wants October 7 to happen again and again. Still free to roam our streets,” Yemini declared.
Mr Al Azhari has previously professed his support for Hamas’s actions, declaring in 2024 that October 7 was “just the beginning”.
“Seven of October is the bloody beginning of it. You’re going to have plenty 7 of Octobers coming, plenty of it,” a video published by The Australian shows him saying.
“And the next time 7 of October is going to be to kick your ass out.”
Mr Al Azhari attempted to ignore Yemini, but other pro-Palestinian supporters hurled insults and the Rebel News correspondent’s security stepped in to form a barrier.
The situation quickly escalated with scuffles breaking out between Yemini’s security and pro-Palestinian supporters, prompting police to step in and separate the groups.
One senior police officer – who was in charge of managing the operation – repeatedly told the Rebel News correspondent to “step back”.
“You’re causing problems for everyone… You’re not a journalist at the moment; you are provoking the situation,” the officer declared.
At one stage during the scuffle, a glass bottle was reportedly thrown, landing inches from a mother with a child in a pram.
Police attempted to contain the groups on either side of Little Lonsdale Street, and after Yemini crossed the street a few minutes later the same senior police officer accused him of breaching the peace.
“You’re causing a breach of peace. I’m giving you a direction to move on. Time to move on!” the police officer said.
Multiple other officers also stepped and footage of the incident captures one of the officers appearing to briefly grab and push Yemini by the throat.
Yemini’s lawyers wrote that the actions of police fell well short of the standards their code of conduct requires, adding that they were expected to de-escalate situations and use force only where it is lawful, necessary and proportionate.
“It is our position that this conduct was not merely unprofessional, but wholly unjustifiable and unlawful under the circumstances,” the letter states.
The legal letter states Yemini is prepared to take civil legal action against the state of Victoria and the officers responsible, but that he was prepared to resolve the claims on three conditions.
Firstly, that Victoria Police provides a written apology acknowledging the wrongful conduct.
Secondly, that they take genuine corrective action, including arranging counselling, anger management training, and refresher training on the use of force.
And thirdly, that they implement training for officers attending events at which journalists are likely to attend to ensure reporters are supported and not impeded by police.
In response to the demands, Victoria Police said they would be appointing an investigator who would “conduct further inquiries”.
“A formal investigation can take up to three months to complete, and may take longer depending on the allegations made, the number of police personnel and witnesses involved and the availability of relevant evidence,” the response states.
“At the conclusion of any investigation, you will receive advice in writing of the results of the investigation and of the action taken or proposed to be taken.”
News24 has contacted Victoria Police for comment.