The high-profile Melbourne burger founder of the Melbourne burger chain used "insulting words" to face the court last year at a pro-Palestine rally, police arrested two other protesters on Tuesday and two more for the same crime on Tuesday.

A source from the activist told the Australian Guardian Australia that an older man was an ode to "all Zionists are terrorists" outside Melbourne's local court on Tuesday, with about 60 protesters.

Protesters showed support for Hash Tayeh, who was accused of appearing in court last month at a rally in May 2024.

A Victoria Police spokesman said two men were arrested on Tuesday following protests outside Melbourne's local court.

"Officials insist on maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of the community," the spokesperson said.

“There are two men allegedly chanting a humiliating phrase.”

Police said the two men, a 79-year-old man from Preston and a 48-year-old man from the reservoir, were expected to summon subpoena by using insulting words.

In March, police accused Tayeh of "using insulting words in public" at a rally last May last year.

"There is no controversy in the presence of innocent men, women and children who were slaughtered for being cold bold," Tayeh said in an external court on Tuesday.

He said: "I will represent anyone who is persecuted. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, atheists and others. Because injustice to anyone is injustice to all."

"Silence is not an option. When innocent blood bleeds, we have an obligation to speak, resist and fight every breath we breathe."

He said his court case was a "platform for revealing the truth."

Police filed charges against Tayeh under the state’s Summary Crimes Act, which prohibits profane, indecent or obscene language.

For the first crime, the maximum penalty for a crime is two months imprisonment, and for three or more crimes, six months.

The phrase has been condemned by Jewish groups including the Victorian Jewish Community Council.

Tayeh will reappear in Melbourne Local Court on June 24.