A Pro-Palestine protester has been arrested after interrupting the annual Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne on Sunday.
A 21-year-old Brunswick woman was arrested and has been issued an infringement notice for carrying a controlled weapon while a second person was moved on by police.
Another two protesters were denied entry to the event according to a statement from Victoria Police.
On Christmas Eve, children performing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl stage were rushed to safety after several protesters carrying Palestine flags descended out of nowhere to interrupt the show.
The Channel 9 cameras were filming hosts David Campbell and Sarah Abo when the incident unfolded during the live broadcast.
Carols by Candlelight co-hosts David Campbell and Sarah Abo were interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters storming the stage
The pro-Palestine protesters stormed the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Sunday
One protester even tried to grab the microphone from Mr Campbell, managing to say ‘while you’re carolling, kids are dying in Gaza’ before the audio was cut.
Mr Campbell interrupted his scripted dialogue when he realised the commotion on stage wasn’t part of the show.
‘Hang on one second,’ he said.
‘Nice and easy.’
The singer tried to keep the crowd calm and informed as security guards removed the protesters from the stage.
‘It’s all good, thank you everybody, everyone’s allowed to have their moment,’ Mr Campbell said.
‘The kids are safe, and they’re going to come back out.
‘It’s important to come together on a night like this too when there’s a lot of pain out there and a lot of people are experiencing it.’
Security guards were seen trying to remove the protesters following the surprise stunt on Sunday night
The crowds were heard applauding the security guards as they dragged the pro-Palestine protestor away
His co-host thanked the crew for their quick action in removing the protesters safely.
‘It is the climate, we are in Melbourne,’ Ms Abo said.
‘Incredible work here by the team as well.’
Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich was highly critical of the incident, and described it as ‘tactics of intimidation’.
‘Carols by Candlelight was once a safe place for families to celebrate the beauty of Christmas, but no more, as this tornado of prejudice is destroying our sense of security,’ he said.
‘I trust that law enforcement will identify those responsible for such vile actions and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.’
The crowd was heard applauding as the kids returned to the stage and the show continued.
Executive Council of n Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin condemned the disruption on Sunday.
‘You can always count on anti-Israel extremists to make everything about them and to appall decent, ordinary people,’ Mr Ryvchin said.
‘The chorus of boos tells them loud and clear they’re not wanted.’