Furious Aussies react after iconic 70-year-old Myer tradition is cancelled over fears event will be hijacked by pro-Palestine protesters – as leader smacks them down with withering response

Aussies have blasted plans by ‘pathetic’ pro-Palestine activists to hijack the grand opening of the Myer Christmas window display this year. 

The iconic family-friendly event planned for Sunday at its Melbourne CBD store in Bourke Street has been cancelled due to safety concerns.

It comes after activist Group Disrupt Wars promoted a ‘Crash the Christmas Windows’ demonstration on Sunday, encouraging supporters to bring banners, flags, placards, noise makers and props.

‘Christmas is cancelled, and there will be no joy or frivolity while children in Gaza are massacred. Inconvenience those who would rather bury their heads in the capitalist machine than speak up against a genocide,’ the group said. 

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan unleashed on pro-Palestine protestors over their ‘ugly’ plans to ruin Christmas traditions for Aussie families. 

‘Blocking Christmas windows is not going to change one single thing in the Middle East,’ Ms Allan told ABC Radio Melbourne on Friday.

‘This is a really small group of people who are choosing to politicise Christmas, to politicise a beautiful event.’ 

Aussies shared Ms Allan’s outrage in furious posts on social media.

Protesters march during a Pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne in October

‘”Disrupt war” protesters to gatecrash families and children attending the Myer Christmas windows reveal on Sunday. You can’t get more stupid and sick than that,’ one wrote. 

‘Why would protesters want to spoil the Myer Christmas Window?’ When little kids would be looking forward to it? What are they achieving can’t they let them enjoy one Sunday?’ a second said. 

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nick Reece said he hoped protesters would realise they had made a mistake, urging them to change their plans.

‘If there’s any good that can come out of this conversation… it’s that the protesters realise that this is a really dumb thing to do, and that they decide to do something different this weekend rather than upset the Melbourne tradition,’ he told ABC Radio.

Liberal MP Sussan Ley ordered the group to ‘leave Christmas alone’. 

‘The Myer Christmas window unveiling? Really? And by the way, doing this is not going to convince anyone of your cause. I just think of the kids, the families that love this excitement on the unveiling,’ she told Sunrise on Friday. 

‘The tradition of the Myer Christmas window looks as if it’s going to be spoilt. I’m also worried, Nat, about the other events that families might be celebrating this year around Christmas.

‘Look, Melburnians and Australians have had a tough year. I just hope the state and federal governments do all they can to make sure families can celebrate Christmas in peace.’

Myer’s famous Christmas window unveiling at its Melbourne CBD store will not go ahead (families are pictured at the iconic event in 2013)

The department store giant confirmed on Thursday that the beloved Christmas tradition will not go ahead. 

‘In light of recent developments and to ensure the wellbeing and safety of customers and team members, we will no longer hold an event on Bourke Street Mall for the unveiling of our Christmas windows,’ a Myer spokesperson said.

‘Myer’s Christmas windows have long symbolised joy and community, and we remain committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all visitors.’

It will be only the second time the iconic Myer unveiling has been cancelled in its almost 70 year history after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.

Jewish leaders have also condemned the actions of the protesters. 

‘Is nothing sacred anymore?’ community leader and Anti-Defamation chair Dr Dvir Abramovich told the Herald Sun. 

‘This is not about free speech – it’s a toxic hijacking of a family-friendly tradition that has no place in any community.

‘Melbourne’s Christmas windows are about peace, unity, and holiday magic, not about spreading discord and confrontation.

‘We cannot allow the spirit of Christmas to be exploited as a vehicle for hatred or to spread anger and misinformation.’

Victoria Police said it had repeatedly asked the group not to protest at the Christmas windows, but it would not co-operate.

‘While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community,’ a police spokesperson said.