Despite United States President Donald Trump’s declaration that the “war is over” in Gaza, Israel continued to launch strikes after the ceasefire was set to come into effect on October 11.
As Trump heads to the Middle East to discuss the implementation of his neocolonial plan to hand control of Gaza to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, 28-year-old Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi was killed, allegedly by an Israeli militia group.
Palestinians in Gaza are celebrating an end to two years of constant bombing, starvation and genocide, in which at least 67,806 people — though some estimate closer to 680,0000 — have been killed, hundreds of thousands wounded and more than 1 million displaced.
But there is concern about an uncertain future under Trump’s 20-point plan.
As bulldozers began clearing rubble in Gaza city and tens of thousands of Palestinians return to their destroyed homes, a nationwide march across Australia on October 12 demanded self-determination and justice for Palestine, and sanctions on the genocidal state of Israel.
More than 10,000 people joined the march in Gadigal Country/Sydney on October 12, marking two years of Israel’s genocide.
While the New South Wales Court of Appeal blocked Palestine Action Group Sydney’s (PAG) initial plan to march to the Sydney Opera House, the march instead went down George Street toward Belmore Park.
Speakers included Indigenous student activist Ethan Floyd, NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong and Palestinian activist Rula Khalafawi.
Floyd said the struggle for Palestine is not over. “It will not end with just a ceasefire, it will not end until the blockade is lifted, until every Palestinian refugee is able to return and until the land and its people are entirely free from the river to the sea.”
Leong condemned NSW Premier Chris Minns for his ongoing attempts to stop Palestine solidarity protests.
Rally MC Josh Lees said that PAG would continue to mobilise for a free Palestine. “We don’t trust the genocidal bastards who have come up with this peace plan.”
Three of the seven Australian participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla addressed the rally. The flotilla included about 500 activists from 46 different countries attempting to sail to Gaza to break Israel’s blockade and deliver desperately needed aid.
The flotilla was intercepted by Israel and participants were kidnapped and imprisoned by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Flotilla participant Abubakir Mohammad Rafiq drew roaring applause. He said the flotilla was doing “what governments should have done — break the siege of Gaza”.
“When I first arrived in prison, I was thrown into a 4x6 metre cage with 83 other men,” he said. From his cell, he could see Palestinian prisoners blindfolded with their hands and feet chained together.
“When I was released from prison I was so happy, but I thought ‘I have been freed but what about those Palestinians that I saw’ … What about the 10,000 Palestinian hostages?
“Innocent mothers, fathers, children who have been stripped of their humanity. Our government is complicit in every one of these acts.”
Flotilla participant Surya McEwan also spoke, nursing his arm that was dislocated by IDF soldiers. He said flotilla participants were abused and mistreated in the IDF prisons, but that they got off lightly compared to Palestinian prisoners. “We are talking about a place where Palestinian prisoners are routinely tortured to death.”
Juliet Lamont, another flotilla participant, said Labor must sanction Israel. She said the flotilla was only 20 nautical miles away from Gaza. “We could see the land,” she said, adding plans for another flotilla were being made.
“In our cells at night time we could hear the crying of Palestinian children, crying for their mothers.”
Alex Bainbridge reports that thousands rallied in Magan-djin/Brisbane on October 12.
The two-year anniversary also marked two years of resistance to the genocide.
More than 1000 people marched through Cavenbah/Byron Bay on October 11, demanding immediate sanctions be placed on Israel, reports Nick Fredman.
Speakers included Bunjalung activist Ella Noah Bancroft, Global Sumud Flotilla participant and local activist Surya McEwan, Greens Byron Shire councillor Michelle Lowe and Subhi Awad from rally organisers Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine.
About 1000 people marched in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide demanding sanctions on Israel and the liberation of Palestine, reports Markela Panegyres.
Speakers said that the ceasefire may give some relief if it holds, but we can not stop mobilising until Palestine is free and the Israeli apartheid state is dismantled.
They also called for sanctions and affirmed that Palestinians need freedom on their own land.
The rally heard from Australian Friends of Palestine Association chair Christa Christaki, Greens SA Senator Barbara Pocock, Ahmed Ahmed Azhar from SA Socialists who spoke against the draconian anti-protest laws, Leila Clendon from SA Socialists and the Australian Education Union and SA Maritime Union of Australia member Campbell Duignan, who spoke in support of MUA member and Sumud Flotilla activist Hamish Paterson.
The event concluded on an uplifting note, with a song led by Peter Combe.
More than 5000 people rallied in Forrest Place, Boorloo/Perth on October 12, reports Blair Vidakovich. Speakers included deputy Greens leader Mehreen Faruqui and Dr "Mo" Mohammed Mustafa.
Many solidarity groups came along, including Students for Palestine, Perth Animal Workers for Palestine, Jews for Palestine, Unionists for Palestine, Christians for Palestine, Mums for Palestine, Greens for Palestine and Socialist Alliance.
Activists in Djilang/Geelong held a rally, march and “die-in” outside defence minister Richard Marles office on October 12, reports Sarah Hathway.
A community rally in Katoomba, Blue Mountains on October 11 organised by Mountains for Palestine drew about 50 people as part of the nationwide marches.
The rally was chaired by Aaisha Slee and speakers included UNSW professor, academic and anti-Zionist activist Peter Slezak, and Port Botany ZIM picket arrestee Luciana Carusi.
A protest in nipaluna/Hobart organised by Tasmanian Palestine Advocacy Network (TPAN) on October 12 drew thousands, including families, trade unionists and MPs, reports Solomon Doyle.
While some were hopeful the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas would end the conflict, they remained concerned about justice for Palestine and vowed to continue marching until Israel’s and Australia’s complicity are brought to account.
Signs included “Sanction Apartheid Israel” and “Netanyahu War Criminal” — the latter accompanied by a portrait of the Israeli Prime Minister’s face coloured red.
At Parliament Lawn steps, Stuart Baird, husband of skipper Madeleine Habib of the flotilla ship, The Conscience, spoke about the fear and uncertainty about his partner’s wellbeing while affirming that the much-needed aid justified her efforts.
TPAN co-organiser Caitlin Shaheen spoke about how she began to understand the Palestinians' struggle by meeting her partner Feras Shaheen’s family. Through tears, she spoke of the pain of seeing her partner slip into a dark place after October 7. She said she would never have considered herself a "radical" for believing in justice for Palestinians.
Trade unionist John Abetz spoke about building hope and that change is possible, before condemning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong for failing to respond to this humanitarian crisis.
Amin Jamous, also of TPAN, concluded “From the river to the sea, Falastin will be free, Falastin must be free,” a sentiment echoed by the crowd.
A silent vigil and walk on the jetty at Coffs Harbour on October 12 was attended by over 200 people to mourn two years of genocide in Gaza, reports Brian Mahony.
Speakers called on the government to “sanction Israel now”.
Thousands of people joined the protest in Naarm/Melbourne as part of the nationwide march for Palestine on October 12, reports Chloe DS.
Sameh Murad, a journalist from Gaza, addressed the rally in an emotional speech. He said seeing the images of his friends on cardboard painted press vests in the crowd reminded him of the times they “shared tents together, taking shifts, under bombardment ... trying to send our story to the world”.
"I cannot imagine that I am here separated from them and reminded of their memories instead." Before he came to Australia, Murad lost his wife, who was killed holding their baby when an aerial attack targeted a convoy of fleeing civilians in Gaza.
Dave Ball, deputy branch secretary from the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Victoria, spoke about the brutality facing the Palestinian people and the moral duty of workers and unions everywhere to stand up when governments are silent.
He said that MUA member Hamish Paterson was one of the participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla who was kidnapped and held in IDF detention.
“Hamish joined that flotilla on a mission of peace and solidarity, seeking to break the naval blockade and delivering aid to Gaza that is causing so much misery, suffering, famine and violence for Palestinian families.
“Hamish and his fellow activists were mistreated, assaulted and denied basic rights during their detention. No worker, no seafarer or humanitarian should ever face violence for delivering aid.”
Other speakerss included Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung activist and independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, Palestinian activist Tasnim Sammak, former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, Sarah Schwartz from the Jewish Council of Australia and Renee Nayef from Students for Palestine.
Protesters marched from the State Library to the United States consulate.
About 100 protesters rallied outside Labor Senator Nita Green’s office in Gimuy/Cairns to demand genuine peace and an end to Israel’s genocide, reports David Anthony.
They called for an end to Australia’s involvement in the arms trade and sending weapons to Israel.
Protesters in Tharawal/Wollongong marched “from the water, to the water”, starting at Puckeys Lagoon and ending at Belmore Basin.
The rally was organised by Wollongong Friends of Palestine as part of the October 12 national day of action.
Today, October 12, we gathered at Civic Park for freedom, justice and peace in Palestine. Our action marked two years of Israel's genocide in Gaza and was one of many actions around the country on this day. We are also part of a global movement, growing in strength and unity
Protesters gathered at Civd Park, in Armidale, on October 12 to mark two years of genocide in Gaza.
A “flotilla” of boats blocked the entrance to the Pine Gap spy base near Mparntwe/Alice Springs on the morning of October 9.
Organisers said the blockade has stopped 800 Australia and United States contractors from entering the base and “participating in the US/Israeli genocide of Palestinians”.
Two activists have locked on to a concrete barrel, blocking the road beside two boats and a group of local residents.
Jorgen Doyle, one of the activists involved, said: “We’re here because Pine Gap is sharing surveillance data, including geo-location information from mobile phones with the genocidal Israeli regime, who are targeting journalists and their families, children, teachers, doctors, patients and the entire population of Palestine.”
Activists are calling for immediate sanctions on Israel, that the attorney general prosecute Pine Gap’s involvement in the genocide and close Pine Gap and return the stolen lands to Arrernte people.
A rally was held outside the Federal Court of Australia in Gadigal Country/Sydney in support of Dr Nick Riemer and Professor John Keane, academics at the University of Sydney who are facing legal action over trumped-up charges of antisemitism.
The case is the first to explicitly test whether Zionism should count as a protected identity under the law, which would criminalise criticism of Israel.
