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MPs’ offices, US Consulate vandalised

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US Consulate in Melbourne and the offices of several senior Labor MPs have been vandalized by pro-Palestine protesters in the early hours of this morning.

Police are investigating after red paint and pro-Palestinian slogans were sprayed on the buildings, which include the offices of Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss and former Labor leader Bill Shorten.

The office of Northcote MP Cath Theophanous was also attacked, while protesters later gathered outside the headquarters of Wills MP Peter Khalil.

Pro-Palestinian vandalism at US consulate in Melbourne.
Pro-Palestinian vandalism at US consulate in Melbourne. (3AW)

Slogans included “free Gaza”, “glory to the martyrs” and “free Palestine”, as well as several expletives.

“The windows are also smashed and there are holes in the metal doors,” 3AW reporter Madeline Burke told the radio station this morning at the US consulate.

The vandalism comes as a number of groups called for a national day of action against Labor MPs accused of complicity in the genocide of the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

“Israel has unleashed hell on civilians hiding in supposed safe zones in Rafah,” the Unionists for Palestine protest group said earlier this week.

“We see footage of people being burned alive and babies being beheaded.

“This Friday, the start of work, we are calling on communities across this continent to take action in the offices of their local Labor MPs to force them to listen to the demands of their constituents.”

Police said the investigation into the protests would be “thorough”.

“Police are investigating after a number of MPs’ offices were vandalized in Melbourne on May 31,” Victoria Police said.

“Red paint is believed to have been thrown at offices since 4am … all incidents will be thoroughly investigated.”

Bill Shorten and Mark Dreyfuss.
The offices of Bill Shorten and Mark Dreyfuss were attacked this morning. (Alex Ellinghausen/SMH)

Speaking this morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the vandalism was unacceptable.

“Workers have a right to be safe and feel safe,” she said.

“Workers everywhere. And what we have seen are protests that go beyond peaceful protests. We have a right to peaceful protests in this country, but we must rightfully condemn protests that are violent and that are hateful and aggressive.

“I share the depth of concern, the depth of feeling that Australians feel about what’s happening in Gaza and what’s happening in Rafah.

“And I have made very strong statements on behalf of this country, as has the Prime Minister.

“We have told Israel, don’t go down that road, we have undertaken diplomatic efforts at the UN and bilaterally to put pressure on Israel not to go down that road and to continue to put pressure on Israel to ensure that it respects humanitarian law.

“Civilians must be protected.

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