Footage shows alleged assault of pro-Palestinian protesters as Victorian man charged

A video captures the moment several people wearing keffiyehs were allegedly attacked in an Adelaide hotel earlier this month. A man has been charged with five counts of assault.

South Australia Police said five people sustained minor injuries during the alleged assault. Source: Supplied

A Victorian man has been charged by South Australia Police with five counts of assault, after allegedly attacking a group of people in an elevator earlier this month.

Police were called to an Adelaide hotel where the man, 64, is alleged to have assaulted a group of people wearing traditional keffiyeh scarves.

Five people sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment, police said.

In video footage, shared with SBS News, the suspect can be heard shouting: "You support these terrorist c--ts" and "I will kill every one of you c--ts."

Another voice is heard off-screen saying: "Everyone leave right now." A third person screams "Do not touch him, do not f—king touch him."

In a statement, South Australia Police confirmed the alleged attacker had been arrested.

"Police were called to a hotel in Franklin Street, Adelaide just after midnight on Saturday 6 July by reports of a man assaulting and abusing a group of guests. Members of the public were restraining the suspect at the scene," police said in a statement.

"He was refused police bail and appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 8 July."

Alleged victims were pro-Palestinian protesters

The small group had travelled from Sydney to Adelaide to protest outside the office of Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

They wore keffiyeh headdresses, a traditional garment worn by people in parts of the Middle East. In Australia and other parts of the world, people have also worn keffiyehs to show solidarity with Palestinians.

The keffiyeh is a common piece of attire worn at pro-Palestine rallies across the globe. The scarves are typically black and white, red and white, or just white. Source: Getty / Ana Fernandez/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Mario De Biasi/Mondadori

Two of the protesters wrote in a statement that the alleged attack "left our group feeling distressed and fearful".

"The nature of it being so unexpected and violent during our return home to the hotel was shocking and traumatising," they said.

During his court appearance on 8 July, the alleged attacker did not enter a plea and his bail application was granted.

He will next appear at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 2 September.