SYDNEY: In a display of solidarity with the people of Gaza, thousands of protesters gathered in Sydney, Australia’s largest city, on Saturday.
The event, organized by the Palestine Action Group, received last-minute approval amid concerns over anti-Jewish slogans chanted during a previous rally.
Protests calling for an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza erupted worldwide on Friday, as the conflict entered its third week. The ongoing air and artillery strikes in Gaza have been a source of great concern, with Palestinian authorities reporting a death toll of 4,100 people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the military campaign, stating, “We will fight until victory” in response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, which resulted in 1,400 casualties in Israel and the seizure of hostages.
In Sydney, approximately 15,000 people participated in Saturday’s march, where they could be heard chanting, “Palestine will never die,” and seen waving Palestine flags. The event, which took over city streets, was closely monitored by police, including officers on horseback and a circling police helicopter. Despite the massive turnout, the police reported no arrests, and the Palestine Action Group spokesperson, Amal Naser, described the march as peaceful.
However, the event has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the leading organization representing Australia’s Jewish community, expressed concerns. He stated that the Sydney rally “incited more hatred in Australia” and raised questions about the “fragile social cohesion” of the community.
This was not the first time a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney had stirred controversy. A rally outside the Sydney Opera House, held just two days after the Hamas attack, ignited a heated debate when a small group of participants were filmed chanting, “Gas the Jews.”
Pro-Palestine rallies also took place on the same day in the state capitals of Brisbane, Perth, and Hobart, as confirmed by the Palestine Action Group. These rallies followed largely peaceful demonstrations that took place across Australia the previous weekend.
The rallies are part of a global outpouring of support for the Palestinian people, calling for an end to the violence in Gaza and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. As the situation in the Middle East continues to unfold, these protests reflect the concerns of individuals around the world regarding the impact of the conflict and their hopes for a lasting solution.
