Thousands of white rioters attacked both people of Middle Eastern origin and police during a violent clash in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.

"This is what our grandfathers fought for, to protect this so that we could enjoy it," said one irate protester. "And we don't need these Lebanese or whoever to take it away from us."

The majority of the rioters were young, white men chanting anti-Arab slogans, carrying beer bottles and waving Australian flags. Sunday's violence was sparked by last week's attack, attributed to Lebanese youths, on two of the beach's lifeguards.

Police said that Sunday's violence spread to a nearby suburb where vandals damaged cars and stabbed a man after what police described as an altercation between the thugs and a "group of males of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance."

At least 12 people were charged with assault and other offences while several were injured in the fighting at Cronulla beach.

Two paramedics were injured after trying to rescue some Arab youths out of a local shop that they had fled to in an effort to avoid the violence.

Rioters damaged police vehicles but they were eventually fought back with batons and pepper spray.

Earlier Sunday, Middle Eastern people were being approached at Cronulla beach "with vile abuse," Mark Goodwin, a police spokesperson said.

Hate slogans were also seen. One white youth had the words "We grew here, you flew here" written across his back.

"100 per cent Aussie pride" was also written in big letters across the sand.

Some locals blame the Middle Eastern people, many who come to the beach from poorer suburbs, as being rude and intimidating to other beachgoers.

With files from Associated Press.