Sixteen protestors who demonstrated against Israeli apartheid at a business in Melbourne's CBD have had the bulk of charges dismissed.

A magistrate today dismissed charges of besetting premises and of trespass at Max Brenner's chocolate bar at QV square.

Magistrate Simon Garnett found that five defendants had a case to answer on charges of hindering, assaulting or resisting police.

The rulings were handed down this morning in Melbourne Magistrates Court after a three-week contested hearing earlier this year.

The court heard there were approximately 150 to 200 protestors outside the business with 132 police members on duty.

The charges arose out of the demonstration on July 1 last year that followed two earlier demonstrations at the same business.

Mr Garnett said the protests were organised and attended by members of a coalition against Israeli apartheid as part of a campaign of Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions which had included members of a Socialist Alliance Group.

The case is continuing.