AP

MELBOURNE :

The government of Victoria, an Australian state,  on Tuesday proposed new restrictions on protesters in response to rising anti-semitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue this month and protestors kept fearful worshippers trapped inside a Sydney synagogue for three hours a week earlier.

"That's not a peaceful protest. It's menacing behaviour," Allan said.

"Anti-semitism is a cancer and we must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism, to fight the evil of this racism in all of its forms and also to continue to work to help heal our multicultural community, to help build on that social cohesion and continue to support our strong, united Victoria," she added.

The new laws would protect the right of people to "gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation”, her office said in a statement. The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the state legislature early next year, would establish safe access areas around places of worship and prohibit disturbances of religious gatherings.

The laws propose a ban on protesters flying flags and displaying symbols of groups listed by Australia as terrorist organisations. Face masks used by protesters to conceal their identities and protect against capsicum spray would also be banned.

Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of anti-semitism in Australia, welcomed the proposed law. "Today, the Victorian government has declared war on hate and anti-semitism - and it's about time," Abramovich said in a statement. "Victoria has drawn a line in the sand and sent a thunderous message to the hate-mongers, the graffiti cowards, the firebombers, and the social media trolls: Your days of terrorising our communities are over," he added.