Palestinian and Israeli supporters are gathering in the CBDs of Melbourne and Sydney in their thousands on Sunday as division among communities increases over the Middle Eastern conflict.
In Sydney, members of the Jewish community organised a rally in solidarity with the people of Israel, bringing to attention the plight of the estimated 200 people, including 30 teenagers and young children and 20 people over the age of 60, who are being held hostage by militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Organisers of the ‘Bring them home’ rally held in Martin Place on Sunday morning, have arranged empty prams alongside empty shoes to represent the children and adults taken hostage.
Balloons tied to pairs of shoes and balloons also lined the street to represent adult hostages being held by Hamas.
Organisers of the ‘Bring them home’ rally held in Martin Place on Sunday morning, have arranged empty prams alongside empty shoes to represent the children and adults taken hostage
Palestinian and Israeli supporters congregated in the CBDs of both Melbourne and Sydney on Sunday as division among communities increases over the Middle Eastern conflict
In Sydney, members of the Jewish community have organised a rally in solidarity with the people of Israel, bringing to attention the plight of the estimated 200 people being held hostage by militant group Hamas in Gaza
People gather at Sydney’s Martin Place to hold a demonstration with balloons, shoes and kidnapping posters relating to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict
A similar pro-Israeli demonstration happened in Melbourne on Sunday, with protesters gathering in Caulfield Park, singing songs, listening to speeches and waving white and blue flags.
In Melbourne a large and diverse group of Palestinian supporters marched chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’ and carrying red, green and white flags.
They gathered at the State Library for the third weekend in a row, with several flares let off in the crowd with tension mounting as the group marched to Parliament House.
The sight of a banners in the crowd comparing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler amongst pro-Palestinian marchers would have been high extremely disturbing for any Jewish onlookers.
One sign read: ‘The irony of becoming what you once hated’, while another two women held a sign that read: ‘Well done Israel Hitler would be proud’.
A large contingent of Victorian police looked on, including the mounted branch.
Thousands also gathered in support of Palestine in Sydney’s Hyde Park from 2pm on Sunday.
One protest leader told the huge crowd assembled ‘We’re going to make this the biggest protest for Palestine Sydney has ever seen!’
Greens MP Jenny Leong posted video updates, stating: ‘Sydney has come out in their thousands again – standing in solidarity with Palestinians here and around the world.’
Hosted by the Sydney arm of the Palestine Action Group, organisers expect to top attendance numbers for a protest it held last weekend.
One group held a banner with a message of unity, which said ‘the Jews are our brothers. Don’t believe the propaganda it’s not Muslim vs Jew, it’s Zionist vs the world.’
The group claimed some 30,000 people attended in opposition to the government’s support for Israel.
‘The n government continues to give full support to Israel’s war crimes, even sending troops to the Middle East to act as Israel’s protector,’ the rally’s organisers said in a statement on Facebook.
‘End the n government’s support for apartheid Israel and its war crimes against the Palestinians!’
n comedian Nazeem Hussain speaks a pro Palestine rally in the Melbourne CBD on Sunday afternoon
A similar pro-Israeli demonstration is underway in Melbourne on Sunday, with protesters set to gather in Caulfield Park
A moving display set up ahead of the march in support of Israel in Sydney on Sunday
The n government has supported Israel’s right to defend itself after the bloody incursion by Hamas in Israel that killed 1,400 people on October 7.
In Gaza, the death toll has climbed to 7,700, according to the Palestinian health ministry, since Israeli air strikes began three weeks ago.
Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton condemned the pro-Palestinian protests held earlier this month where some participants shouted anti-Semitic chants.
Mr Dutton claimed similar events could rubbish ‘s international standing.
‘Nobody wants to see a loss of life in the Middle East or anywhere else, nobody will tolerate discrimination against any n regardless of their religious faith or their background,’ Mr Dutton said.
‘The scenes we saw at the Sydney Opera House, where people were cheering the slaughter of Israelis by Hamas terrorists, they’re scenes that don’t belong in our country otherwise.’
More than 1,000 police officers are expected to be present at the demonstrations in Sydney to ensure the safety of protesters.
Thousands of people turned up for the rallies in support of Israel on Sunday
A pro-Palestinian rally is underway in Melbourne on Sunday