As Israel, with the support of the United States, continues to bomb Gaza, including refugee camps, and the known death toll rises to around 22,000 people, Australians continue to show solidarity and call for a ceasefire at rallies and vigils over the traditional holiday period.
A Juma Pray for Palestine on December 29 in Dandenong, Naarm/Melbourne, attracted more than 200 community members and solidarity activists.
Chloe DS reports that after an hour of prayer, Samim Moslih introduced the speakers who included councillors, Jim Memeti, a former Mayor of Dandenong City Council, Waseem Razvi from the Islamic Research and Educational Academy and Muhammed Sezgin, a local Muslim leader. The Palestinian flag was raised.
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The community, home to many migrants and refugees, has been very proactive in their support for Palestine, organising two rallies in November, before council voted for a ceasefire motion.
Greens councillor Rhonda Garad, who had initiated the ceasefire motion, attended and her support for Palestine was noted. Contact the Free Palestine Dandenong Action group to get involved. Another action has been called action for January 10.
For the 12th weekend in a row thousands marched through the streets of Gadi/Sydney on December 30 in solidarity with the Palestinian people demanding an end to Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
Peter Boyle reports that the protest, organised by the Palestine Action Group, called on Labor to end its complicity with Israel’s brutal carpet bombing, its massacre of civilians and attempted ethnic cleansing in Gaza. It called on the Anthony Albanese government to cut ties with apartheid Israel.
A protest on the Gold Coast on the same day drew good numbers. This followed a Boxing Day protest against genocide in Gaza at Zara Pacific Fair. Zara posted an offensive ad campaign in early December mocking Palestinian suffering and their Israeli branches openly supported a far-right politician last year reports Alex Bainbridge.
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Thousands of people also came out for Palestine in Naarm/Melbourne on December 30, reports Angela Carr.
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Free Palestine Geelong is urging people to take a stand for Palestine by heading to the waterfront and raise flags/placards/banners when the fireworks go off at 9.30pm and again at midnight. Send photos, tagged @freepalestinegeelong and @countdown2ceasefire to its Facebook page.
“Let’s not make New Year resolutions, let’s make a New Year revolution, and achieve real change for Palestine in 2024”, it said.