In a nationwide rally, thousands of Australians gathered to demand sanctions against Israel for its atrocities in the Palestinian-enclave, which is currently facing starvation and famine brought on by Israel.
Following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to grant a Palestinian state on August 11, the tensions between Israel and Australia are growing.
Palestine Action Group reported that more than 40 demonstrations took place on Sunday in various Australian states, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, with significant turnouts. According to the group, 350,000 people showed up at rallies all over the country, including about 50 000 in Brisbane. However, the police estimated that Brisbane had only 10,000 attendees. In Sydney and Melbourne, there were no crowd size estimates available.
As rallygoers chanted “Free, free Palestine” in Sydney, organiser Josh Lees claimed Australians were out in force to “demand that our government sanction this genocide in Gaza and demand that our government put an end to this.”
Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s increased personal attacks on his Australian counterpart over his government’s decision to recognize the Palestinian state, the protests came as a result.
Following France, the UK, and Canada’s announcement to recognize the Palestinian state as a component of the so-called two-state solution, Albanese’s Labor government made the decision. Israel has, however, opposed the establishment of a separate Palestinian state with Israel.
Tens of thousands of people marched across Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge on August 11 to demand peace and aid aid to Gaza, which has been famined as a result of the Israeli blockade of aid delivery.
Source: Aljazeera
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