Thousands of Australians march in solidarity with Palestine after Israel formally declared war against Hamas

Nearly a thousand people have taken party in a pro-Palestinian rally following the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas on the weekend.

The rally, organised by the Palestine Action Group Sydney, met at the Town Hall in Sydney’s CBD at 5.30pm, with attendees set to march to the Sydney Opera House.

The march coincides with the NSW government’s decision to illuminate the landmark in blue and white - the colours of the Israeli flag - in support of Jewish community groups in NSW.

Parliament House in Canberra is among a number of Australian landmarks being lit up in solidarity with Israel.

Members of the crowd chanted “Palestine will never die”, “Israel, USA, how many kids have you killed today?” and “Shame, Shame Australia,” and “Shame, Shame Albo” as they approached Circular Quay.

At the steps of the Opera House, candles were laid out to spell ’Free Palestine’, while flares were let off.

Up to three people with Israeli flags were reportedly removed from the rally, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had earlier urged pro-Palestinian protesters to abandon.

Police also told the Jewish community to avoid the Opera House tribute because of the rally.

“NSW police are urging the community not to attend the Sydney Opera House or Town Hall this evening,” an email from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies to members said.

“Community members already in the CBD should be vigilant as protesters are likely to seek to march from Town Hall to the Sydney Opera House.

“The events tonight may pose a risk to the safety of community members and you are strongly urged not to attend.”

Appearing on 2GB’s Drive with Chris O’Keefe, Mr Albanese called on people to respect the “loss of life” that occurred on the weekend after Palestinian military group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, leading to the death of more than 1100 civilians.

“I think people need to really take a step back,” he said, speaking on 2GB’s Drive with Chris O’Keefe.

“What has occurred here is completely indefensible. You can’t target civilians like what occurred over the weekend where you had thousands attending a music festival.

“The idea that you would have people launching essentially indiscriminate shooting at random, just trying to cause as much harm and bloodshed as possible, is just an atrocity that deserves the condemnation of all.”

However, Palestine Action Group Sydney organiser Josh Lees criticised both the state and federal government for taking a “one-sided stance”.

“The media and government are decrying the loss of life of civilians. What about Palestinian civilians. Why don’t their lives matter?” he said.

“Where is the condemnation for the promises coming from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to target every corner of the Gaza Strip in the coming days.”

The activist group condemned Israel for launching a “full scale war on Palestine” and demanded Australia “cut ties with Israel”.

“It is the responsibility of everyone who stands for justice, freedom, against apartheid, colonialism and imperialism to stand up for Palestine,” the event description read.

“End Israeli apartheid, the occupation, the siege on Gaza.”

NSW Police were at the protest and said they “will work with protesters to ensure there are no breaches of the peace and there is minimal impact to the community”.

“The NSW Police Force is aware of upcoming planned protest activity at Sydney Town Hall today (Monday, October 9, 2023) and will monitor the situation accordingly,” the statement said.

“The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community.”

On Sunday evening, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Lakemba, where the Hamas attack was labelled as a “day of pride” and a “day of victory”.

The demonstrations were criticised by the Prime Minister, who condemned people who supported the violence.

“There’s no victory with the slaughter of innocent people,” Mr Albanese told Sunrise on Monday.

“The capturing of the people and taking them back to Gaza represents an extraordinary action by Hamas. And Israel, of course, has a right to defend itself, and it will.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated Mr Albanese’s concerns and said the “targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages is never a cause for celebration”.

Speaking from Town Hall, activist and academic Fahad Ali called on the crowd to resist Israeli occupation of Palestine.

“We’ve suffered 75 years of dispossession, denied our rights to life and liberty, under an ever-worsening occupation by a colonial regime that has perpetrated every kind of atrocity upon us,” he said.

Hundreds of attendees cheered as dozens of people waved Palestinian and Aboriginal flags.

“Resistance is justified when Palestine is occupied,” supporters chanted as the crowd marched down Pitt Street.

“Free free Palestine,” others shouted back.

Large crowds also gathered in Sydney’s southwest on Sunday night where Hamas’ attacks on Israel were celebrated as acts of “courage” and “resistance”.

In Lakemba, footage emerged of a group chanting “Occupation is the crime” and “Palestine will be free”.

Many held signs, including “Stop persecuting Muslims” and “Stand for the oppressed”.

Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun told the crowd the attacks on Israel were an act of resistance.

“I’m elated, it’s a day of courage, it’s a day of pride, it’s a day of victory - this is the day we’ve been waiting for,” he said.

“Seventy-five years of occupation, 15 years of blockade.

“What happened yesterday was the first time our brothers and sisters broke through the largest prison on earth.”

Mr Albanese condemned the comments.

“There’s nothing to celebrate by the murder of innocent civilians going about their day,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the remarks “don’t have any place in Australian society” and “for people to somehow provide moral support to those actions is an absolutely appalling act.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry spokesman Alex Ryvchin described the rally as a “sickening display from people with no souls and no humanity”.

“Worshippers of death, rape and misery have no place in civilised society,” he said.

But the Lebanese Muslim Association accused the government of hypocrisy in its support of Israel, describing the treatment of Indigenous Australians as akin to the “persecution inflicted on the people of Palestine by Israel”.

“Our First Nations people, the good citizens of Palestine and other oppressed peoples around the world should all be regarded as the same,” the association said.

The Australian National Imams Council said the government should avoid “one- sided statements of support which ignore the Palestinian people”.