Mass Pro-Palestinian Rallies Sweep Australia Amid Diplomatic Tensions.
Thousands of Australians took to the streets on Sunday to show solidarity with Palestinians, organizers said, following the Australian government’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
According to the Palestine Action Group, over 40 protests were held nationwide, with large turnouts in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Organizers estimated around 350,000 participants across the country, including 50,000 in Brisbane, though police put Brisbane’s figure closer to 10,000. Police did not provide estimates for Sydney or Melbourne.
In Sydney, organizer Josh Lees said demonstrators gathered to “demand an end to this genocide in Gaza and for our government to sanction Israel,” as crowds waving Palestinian flags chanted “Free, free Palestine.”
The rallies drew criticism from Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, who told Sky News that the gatherings created “an unsafe environment and shouldn’t be happening.”
The protests come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intensified attacks on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, following the Labor government’s conditional recognition of Palestinian statehood earlier this month. Similar moves were recently taken by France, Britain, and Canada.
Tensions in Gaza persist, with Palestinian authorities reporting over 60,000 deaths and humanitarian agencies warning of widespread food shortages amid ongoing conflict.
Comments are closed.