Waves not war: protestors arrive at Bells Beach

Protesters have been spotted on the hills at Bells Beach on the second day of the Rip Curl Pro.

A small number of protesters from the group Surfers for Palestine have gathered with homemade signs and the Palestinian flag.

The group is opposing the use of the Israeli flag at all World Surf League events.

Their protest was timed to align with round 1 of the women’s competition, during which Israeli competitor Anat Lelior surfed and won her first heat.

In a statement, Surfers for Palestine co-founder Aref Taleb called for the Israel flag to be banned in the same manner the Russian flag has been banned at most international sporting events.

“This campaign is about justice, in the same way the world denounces and sanctions Russia for war crimes, Israel should be denounced and sanctioned too, and that starts with ensuring the Israeli flag has no place at Bells Beach,” Taleb said.

Leilor has previously chosen to surf under the ‘world’ designation due to safety concerns.

Victoria Police are in attendance at Bells Beach for the event and confirmed the protest has remained peaceful.