- Jewish Association CEO says Open isn’t enforcing rules
- Fans spotted at Melbourne Park with pro-Palestine shirts
The Australian Open has been accused of going soft on pro-Palestine protestors who are clearly breaking the tournament’s rules at this year’s event at Melbourne Park.
Earlier in the week, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley stated that anyone waving a flag banned at the Grand Slam would be removed from the venue or arrested by police.
The rules extend to anyone ‘displaying material intended to disrupt, offend, vilify or that is political in nature’.
However, photos have emerged from the event this week of fans wearing shirts with pro-Palestine messages.
Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said it was an obvious breach of the rules set out by officials.
‘The rules should be applied equally to everyone,’ he told News Corp.
Australian Jewish Association boss Robert Gregory has condemned fans displaying pro-Palestine shirts at the Australian Open (pictured)
Rules state that anyone waving a banned flag at the Grand Slam will be removed from the venue and could be arrested (demonstrator from 2024 Open pictured)
‘There should not be an exception for Palestinian activists.
‘Australians have been confronted by anti-Israel protests and disruptions to our cities for over a year.
‘The last place Australians want to see this is at the tennis.’
In 2022, the Australian Open banned fans from wearing shirts bearing the slogan, ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ – after concerns about the player’s safety in China. The ban was eventually overturned due to public pressure.
The Australian Jewish Association raised the issue this week, stating: ‘The Australian Open apparently has a rule, banning political slogans.
‘They even enforced that against fans who were supporting Chinese player, Peng Shuai.
‘Not so when it comes to the “Free Palestine” crowd.’
The tournament’s policy is to only allow flags from nations that are competing – however, Russian and Belarusian flags are banned regardless of who is playing.
A protester hurled flyers in support of a ‘Free Palestine’ during the 2024 Open
Tiley says the Israel flag would be allowed if there was an Israeli player competing at Melbourne Park.
‘The ultimate objective is to make sure our fans are happy and to provide a safe and enjoyable environment in which they can watch the tennis,’ he said.
‘And at any time that is compromised then we step in.
‘And so we’re making it very clear — if there is a player that is not from a country that is competing — you’re not welcome on site with a flag from any other country.’
