- Pro-Palestine rally held in Melbourne
- Thousands marched through the streets
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through the streets of Melbourne as the conflict between the nation and Israel deepens following an attack by terror group Hamas.
Rally organizers Free Palestine Melbourne called on people to join them on the steps of the State Library as they marched to the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne on Sunday.
Protesters called for an end to the conflict in Gaza and an end to the blockade of food, water, fuel and medical supplies in the region.
Attendees carried signs pointing out the thousands of deaths in the past two weeks since the war between Hamas and Israel began.
Supporters carried signs and flags as they marched through the city
Those present at the meeting called for the liberation of Gaza
Greens leader Adam Bandt also addressed the thousands of attendees on Sunday.
“It’s a war crime,” Bandt said, according to the Herald Sun.
“4,000 Palestinians have been killed and the death toll will continue to rise.
‘End the war in Gaza, end the invasion, peace for Palestine now.’
Mr Bandt told the crowd that the Greens had rallied against the invasion of Gaza.
Protesters also called on the Australian government to cut ties with Israel in support of those suffering in Palestine.
Event organizers said before the meeting that there was no place for racism among protesters, following shocking scenes in Sydney earlier this month.
“We remind everyone that the fight for a free Palestine is an anti-racist fight,” organizers said on the Facebook event.
“We condemn and oppose all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
“Our fight is against the State of Israel, not against the Jewish people, many of whom oppose Zionism and who have a long history of being part of our movement for a free Palestine.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt showed his support for the demonstration on Sunday
People gathered on Sunday to protest against the wa
Thousands of people listened to the speakers who attended the meeting
The rally in Melbourne follows other protests across the country this week, which were held in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth on Saturday.
A vigil was held in Hobart on Saturday, taking place outside Hobart City Hall.
A protest will take place in the national capital at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
It comes as more than 30 humanitarian organizations signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his senior ministers urging Australia to intervene diplomatically in the conflict.
At the Free Palestine Rally, a huge crowd of Australians showed their support for the movement
The Free Palestine Melbourne event attracted thousands of people
The letter from the Australian Council for International Development, signed by organizations including Save the Children Australia, ActionAid and United Aid Abroad, urges Australia to use its influence to secure an urgent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel to achieve.
“The Australian government must use its voice and influence to urgently reach a ceasefire – an end to the rapidly escalating conflict,” the letter said.
“We are deeply concerned about the continued violation of the human rights of civilians in Gaza and Israel, and violations of international humanitarian law.
“We ask your government to relentlessly pursue unfettered humanitarian access, a humanitarian corridor and protection of civilians.
“We call for a pause in hostilities to allow crucial humanitarian work to save lives.”