A group called Palestinian-Australia Stand is set to organize a rally titled “Glory to Martialists” on October 7. This date marks the anniversary of the devastating Hamas attack that ignited the Gaza War, occurring near Bankstown.
New South Wales (NSW) Prime Minister Chris Mins expressed his shock at what he described as the “bad timing” of this event.
“It’s incredibly poorly timed and somewhat insensitive,” Mins mentioned during a radio interview on Tuesday. “While we all share concerns for innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, holding this event on the 7th feels more like a celebration of Hamas’s actions, rather than addressing the plight of those living in Gaza.”
Interestingly, it seems that for some pro-Hamas activists, October 7 is deemed an ideal time for their celebrations. Ramia Abd Sultan, a lawyer and activist with Palestinian-Australia Stand, posted a video asserting that Australia hasn’t paid enough attention to the Palestinian issue, despite ongoing protests in Sydney and Melbourne almost every weekend since the conflict escalated.
“Our Prime Minister has chosen to completely overlook the thousands of Palestinians who have lost their lives in the past two years,” Sultan remarked.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated that a pro-Hamas demonstration on October 7 could potentially reduce public sympathy for the Palestinian cause. Notably, Australia recently recognized the “Palestinian state” last month.
Albanese also pointed out particularly aggressive graffiti found in Melbourne on Tuesday, bearing statements like “Hamas of Glory,” “Free Palestine,” “Glory to Martyrs,” and “October 7, please try it again.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Sharlen Haskell expressed disbelief that the Australian government would tolerate such propaganda on the second anniversary of what he called “the worst Jewish massacre since the Holocaust.”
“The propaganda of terrorists defacing Melbourne with messages on the anniversary of these murders is appalling. Those responsible should face the law to the fullest extent. The Australian Federal Police will collaborate with the Victorian State Police to ensure justice,” he stated on Tuesday.
Josh Fridenberg, former federal Treasury Secretary and a leader within the Jewish community, criticized Albanese’s administration along with Victoria’s Prime Minister Jacinta Allan for showing insufficient empathy towards the concerns of the Australian Jewish community on this significant anniversary.
“We’re witnessing open support for terrorism in Melbourne, and this extremism persists because it’s allowed to. The Prime Minister must take action now,” Fridenberg urged.
He further added, “No matter what steps are taken, it’s evidently not enough. We need to end violence, halt hatred, and protect our nation from descending further into darkness.”
There are plans for the pro-Hamas march to reach the iconic Sydney Opera House, following a similar event a few days post the October 7 incident. The Jewish community expressed outrage when police advised Jews to avoid certain areas in Sydney to prevent potential conflicts with pro-Hamas demonstrators.
NSW police are currently attempting to prohibit a protest organized by the Palestinian Action Group (PAG) at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday. Prime Minister Mins mentioned that he believed the police were making the right decision for public safety.
“The police are in a tough spot; their duty is to ensure safety in major cities like Sydney for everyone. It’s hard to gauge how many will attend such protests, but it could reach thousands. If things go wrong in a confined area, we all know where the blame will fall,” he noted on Tuesday.
The NSW Jewish Committee has warned that the Jewish community shares the same “anxiety and fear” following the Opera House rally on October 9, 2023.
PAG organizer Damian Ridgwell dismissed these concerns, insisting that they would legally fight for the right to hold a “peaceful and secure” demonstration at the Sydney Opera House.
“Israel is committing genocide, which emphasizes the urgency of our cause and the right to support the community facing genocide,” he asserted.
“Our demonstrations will embody a large, peaceful gathering of individuals opposing war and occupation, rejecting racism and genocide in the Israeli state, and advocating for the rights of the Palestinians,” he said.
PAG’s legal representative stated they are not only seeking permission to hold the protest but are also urging the Court of Appeal, which will convene on Wednesday, to formally recognize the genocide allegations against Israel.
