Palestinian supporters rally across Australia for Global Day for Gaza
Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered across Australia as part of the Global Day for Gaza, calling for an end to the country's arms trade with Israel and "true peace" in Gaza and the West Bank. Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs are marking the lives lost in the three years of Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza.
Hundreds of people turned out for rallies across Australia as part of the Global Day for Gaza, calling for an end to the country's arms trade with Israel and "true peace" in Gaza and the West Bank.
Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in capital cities and regional locations to mark the lives lost in the three years of Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.
Rallies take place across Australia
In Hobart, hundreds of people marched along the waterfront, waving Palestinian flags, holding placards and chanting "the West Bank will be free". The group began congregating from about 11am and later made their way to the Tasmanian Parliament, where they heard from speakers including the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre's Nala Mansell, and Feras Shaheen, from the Tasmanian Palestine Advocacy Network.
Mr Shaheen urged protesters to ramp up their advocacy, saying new measures were needed to end the war in Gaza.
"What else can you do in your spaces… there is still a lot to do," he said.
About 100 people attended an event at Newcastle's Civic Park in NSW. Hunter Valley woman Lynn Benn, from environmental group the Knitting Nannas, was among the protesters.
Ms Benn said many had turned out because they were angry about the ongoing situation in Gaza.
"Food supplies are restricted, critical medical supplies are restricted, and there are thousands and thousands of children in there," she said."This has been going on for three years, which is horrendous. Standing back and letting this happen is appalling, and that's why we're here."
Ms Benn said she wanted to see “true peace” in Gaza and the West Bank.
Niko Leka, from Palestine Action Group Muloobinba, said while the day was globally significant, he and many other Novocastrians have been turning up to protest the war for years.
"Showing up here is another intervention, a peaceful intervention," Dr Leka said."The action that is required is for the Australian government to pay heed to the requirements of international law. No more arms trade with Israel, no more investment, stopping our relationships with their universities until they start obeying international law.”