Protesters carrying Palestinian flags caused a disturbance during a televised carol service in Melbourne, Australia on December 24. The incident took place during the live broadcast of the Carols by Candlelight programme, which was being aired on Channel 9 from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The protesters stormed the stage and chanted "Free Palestine" into a host's microphone, shocking the audience.

Footage of the disruption quickly spread online, with some condemning the actions of the protesters. Israeli author Hen Mazzig criticized the incident, stating, "It boggles the mind how so many co-opt Palestinian liberation to center themselves and take away from other people in need. This behavior will not 'free Palestine'; it's just shameful."

During the incident, a woman screamed into a microphone, drawing attention to the situation in Gaza and its impact on children. She and the other protesters were soon removed from the stage. Co-host David Campbell made an effort to calm the situation, asking both the audience and those on stage to remain calm and focused, particularly as children were scheduled to perform.

"I'm disgusted that they did that when the kids were about to perform," commented one individual. "It affects their happy memory and would have been very scary." Another called for the protesters to be "locked up", expressing their disapproval of the disruption.

The incident left the audience divided in opinion, with some criticizing the protesters' timing and others showing support for their cause. However, many agreed that the disruption was inappropriate given the nature of the event, with children set to perform.

The incident has sparked a wider debate on how political protests should be conducted and their potential impact on unrelated events. As the situation in Palestine continues to draw global attention, discussions surrounding the appropriate platforms and methods for expressing solidarity or dissent are likely to be ongoing.

Overall, the disruption at the Christmas carol service in Melbourne has ignited strong reactions and highlighted the challenges of blending political activism with public events.