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Israel–Hamas war protests
in Australia
Part of the Israel–Hamas war protests
DateOctober 7, 2023 (October 7, 2023) – present
(1 year, 1 month and 2 weeks)
Location
Australia
Caused byIsrael–Hamas war
GoalsVaried
MethodsProtests, demonstrations, civil disobedience, direct action, sit-ins, online activism
Casualties
InjuriesNumerous
ArrestedNumerous

Protests in relation to the Israel-Hamas war have been taking place in Australia since October 7, 2023.

In Melbourne, there has been a pro-Palestinian march every Sunday beginning in front of the State Library Victoria since 7 October, starting on 10 October. Rallies have protested the firing of Antoinette Lattouf, the Refugee Action Collective drawing attention to the mandatory detention of refugees and workers rights groups giving speeches in solidarity. The march normally ends at Parliament House, but on 5 May the march will proceed to the Victorian Trades Hall, and lead their annual May Day march through the city and back to the Trades Hall.[1][2][3]

Regular demonstrations have also taken place in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, as well as in regional centres.

Timeline of events

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2023

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October

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Protest opposing the bombing of Gaza, Melbourne, Australia, 15 October
Pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney, Australia, 21 October

On the night of 9 October, around 1,000 protesters attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney, calling on the Australian government to end support to Israel. The protestors marched through the city's central business district to the Sydney Opera House, which had been lit up with the colors of the Israeli flag to create a space "for Jews to mourn victims of the attacks in Israel".[4] A small group lit flares, burned Israeli flags, and chanted "Where's the Jews", "Allahu Akbar", and "fuck the Jews".[5] The Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, confirmed that the Sydney Opera House had been "overrun with people that were spewing racial epithets and hatred".[4] The Sydney government later apologised for the protests and the Australian police have confirmed they are investigating the participants and will be seeking to press charges.[6] Jewish people were advised to avoid the area, and a man near the protest with an Israeli flag was detained to prevent a breach of the peace. According to several witnesses they also chanted "Gas the Jews", although according to a police expert audio analysis of video from the event that was initially believed to have shown that call instead showed chants of "Where's the Jews".[7]

Another similar rally took place in the south-western suburb of Lakemba. Reports of violence and antisemitism emerged from the protests, which were criticized by politicians including Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.[8][9][10]

On 11 October, thousands gathered for a vigil held in Sydney showing support for Israel which was attended by a number of government officials.[11] On 20 October, pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the entryway to the US spy base in Pine Gap, Northern Territory, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.[12] On 31 October, a group of Jewish activists occupied Defence Minister Richard Marles’ office in Geelong, demanding an end to military support for Israel.[13][14]

November

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On 8 November, activists laid themselves down on the Port of Melbourne to block cargo headed for Israel.[15]

On 10 November, a fast food restaurant in Caulfield was burned down in a suspicious fire, after the owner Hash Tayeh was photographed leading a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne.[16] Following the burning of the restaurant, about 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators affiliated with the Free Palestine Melbourne group staged a protest march in Caulfield, which led to the evacuation of a nearby synagogue. The pro-Palestine march triggered a counter-demonstration by about 200 pro-Israel supporters from the local Jewish community. Police kept the two groups apart but made no arrests.[17]

On 12 November, thousands attended pro-Palestinian rallies calling for an immediate ceasefire in several Australian state capitals including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. In addition, pro-Israel rallies were held in Sydney and Melbourne calling for the release of Hamas-held hostages and to oppose anti-semitism.[18] On 16 November, a petition with the signatures of 40,000 medical professionals demanding a ceasefire was presented to parliament.[19] On 21 November, 23 anti-war activists were arrested at Sydney's Port Botany for blocking its major roads.[20]

On 23 November, hundreds of school-age children in Melbourne and Adelaide walked out of classes in a school strike to "free, free Palestine".[21] On 26 November, Senator Lidia Thorpe spoke at a rally in support of Palestine, stating Aboriginal Australians were sympathetic to the struggles of Palestinians.[22] Teachers in Victoria were warned against participating in any pro-Palestine related protests.[23] Protesters held a die-in outside the offices of The Age.[24]

A group of several dozen pro-Palestinian protesters in Melbourne blocked the hotel entrance to a delegation of families of kidnapping and murder victims from the 7 October massacre after learning of its location. In response, the delegation sought assistance at the local police station.[25] On 21 December, protesters on kayaks blocked an Israel-linked cargo ship from entering the Port of Melbourne.[26]

December

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In late December 2023, cabin crew on a Qantas flight between Melbourne and Hobart donned Palestinian flag badges; which went against the airline's policy of wearing unapproved badges on their uniforms. Dvir Abramovich, the chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, criticised the cabin crew's conduct as intimidating, harassment and a violation of "every rule of air travel". An online petition calling for the dismissal of the cabin crew attracted 2,000 signatures. In response to media coverage, Qantas reiterated its policy against employees wearing unapproved badges on their uniforms.[27]

2024

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January - March

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Protesters blocked an Israeli cargo ship from entering the Port of Melbourne on 22 January 2024.[28][29]

On 2 February, protesters in Melbourne blocked the entrance to the factory that produces parts for Israel's F-35 military jets.[30]

"Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at the University of Sydney, 26 April 2024

April - June

[edit]

On 25 April students of the University of Sydney put up tents and shouted pro-Palestine slogans.[31] After that, multiple other Australian universities set up encampments.[32] On 8 May, Greens senator Dorinda Cox alleged she was "manhandled" by police while protesting as part of Students for Palestine WA at the Crown Perth casino and resort, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was speaking at a business breakfast, saying that the police told her group to move and allegedly shoved her into the crowd while she was speaking.[33]

On 18 May, Trade Unionists for Palestine organised a protest at Melbourne's Moonee Valley Racecourse, which was hosting the Victorian Labor Party's State Conference. The protest action delayed planned speeches by Albanese and Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan.[34] On 19 May, Palestinian solidarity protesters and the Christian Zionist group International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) held competing rallies outside the Victorian state parliament in Melbourne. Police estimated that 7,000 people attended the Nakba Sunday Rally and ICEJ's Never Again is Now Rally. Police separated the two groups and arrested six protesters.[35][36]

July - September

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See also 2024 Melbourne Land Forces Expo protests

On 11 September, Melbourne saw protests outside the Land Forces Expo, a military technology event. Victoria Police claimed it was the largest deployment of police against a protest since 2000.[37]

  1. ^ "Hundreds turn out for Melbourne pro-Palestine rally". ABC News. 2023-10-11. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  2. ^ Kappas, Kirie (2024-03-22). "Refugee advocate Helen Panopoulos calls for change". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  3. ^ "Pro-Palestinian protesters rally in Melbourne CBD as Port of Melbourne blockade enters third day". ABC News. 2024-01-21. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  4. ^ a b Friedman, Gabe; Kaltmann, Nomi (2023-10-11). "Sydney government apologizes for pro-Palestinian protest that included 'gas the Jews' chants". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  5. ^ "Pro-Palestine protesters chant 'Gas the Jews' outside Sydney Opera House". The Daily Telegraph. 2023-10-10. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  6. ^ Jackson, Lewis (2023-10-10). "Police investigate pro-Palestinian protest at Sydney Opera House over alleged anti-Semitism". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  7. ^ Hannam, Peter (2 February 2024). "NSW police say analysis shows pro-Palestine chant in viral Sydney Opera House video was 'where's the Jews?'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Flares ripped at pro-Palestinian rally outside Sydney Opera House in protest while sails in the colours of Israeli flag". ABC News. 2023-10-10. Archived from the original on 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  9. ^ Coote, Gavin (2023-10-09). "Pro-Palestinian rally at Lakemba in Sydney criticised for 'celebration' of attacks on Israel". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  10. ^ "Pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney calls for Australia to drop support for Israel". The Guardian. 2023-10-10. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  11. ^ Stonehouse, Greta; Parkes-Hupton, Heath (2023-10-11). "Thousands gather at Israel vigil in Sydney's eastern suburbs after Hamas attacks". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  12. ^ Gardiner, Stephanie (2023-10-20). "Pro-Palestine activists block entry to Pine Gap base". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  13. ^ "Jewish activists occupy Australian defence minister's office". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  14. ^ Cassidy, Caitlin (November 2023). "'Ceasefire now': Australian Jewish group holds vigils for peace in Sydney and Melbourne". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Australian arms exports to Israel in focus amid court case, port protests". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  16. ^ Schmidt, Nathan. "Popular burger shop burned after owner's pro-Palestine controversy". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  17. ^ Crowe, Alex (11 November 2023). "Police to step up patrols after violent protest near burnt-out Caulfield shop". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  18. ^ Knaus, Christopher (12 November 2023). "Thousands call for Gaza ceasefire at Australian protests while pro-Israel rally demands release of hostages". Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  19. ^ Roberts, Georgia (16 November 2023). "Cross-party support for government to call for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza war". ABC News. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  20. ^ "NSW Police charge 23 pro-Palestinian activists over protest against Israeli shipping line ZIM at Sydney's Port Botany". ABC News. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  21. ^ Schubert, Shannon; Ntafillis, Viki (2023-11-23). "Students walk out of classrooms to join protests against Israel-Gaza War". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  22. ^ Dexter, Rachael (26 November 2023). "'We know your pain': Lidia Thorpe addresses thousands at Free Palestine rally". WA Today. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Victorian government warns school teachers against 'inflammatory' pro-Palestinian advocacy". ABC News. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Activists stage 'die-in' outside Australian newspaper offices". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Anti-Israel protesters in Australia block hotel entrance of hostage families". Jerusalem Post. 29 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Australian protesters on kayaks confront Israel-linked ship". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  27. ^ Winer, STUART (4 January 2024). "Outrage after Australian airline crew wear Palestinian badges during flight". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Protesters block access to Israeli cargo ship in Melbourne". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Australia's pro-Palestinian activists to continue targeting Israeli ships". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Protesters in Australia block access to arms factory supplying Israeli military". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  31. ^ https://aje.io/84b476?update=2861027
  32. ^ Cassidy, Caitlin; Ittimani, Luca (2024-05-02). "'A vital moment': Australian pro-Palestine campus protesters vow to stay on as tensions brew". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  33. ^ "'Police manhandled me': Senator's claim". News Corp Australia. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-09 – via Yahoo News.
  34. ^ "Victorian Labor State Conference stormed by pro-Palestinian protesters as venue locked down". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  35. ^ "6 arrests after police clash with pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel protesters in Melbourne CBD". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  36. ^ "Six arrested after pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations meet in Melbourne's CBD". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  37. ^ "Police maintain presence at Melbourne defence expo as human rights groups condemn 'excessive' force". ABC News. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
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