Protests mark six months of genocide

April 11, 2024

Issue

Sit down protest, Magan-djin/Brisbane, April 7. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

Thousands of people joined protests over the weekend of April 7 across the country.

They marked six months of Israel's intensified genocide against the people of Gaza and after Israel had murdered six international aid workers and their Palestinian driver in a series of three targeted attacks on the World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy.

The same day, Israel bombed an Iranian embassy in Damascus, violating the Vienna Convention which protects international diplomacy.

These newest outrages were highlighted at many of the rallies, alongside denunciations of Western media and politicians for focusing only on the deaths of Western aid workers, while ignoring the slaughter of hundreds of Palestinian aid workers and tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.

Sam Wainwright told the Green Left Show that “we should seek to make [the slaughter of WCK workers] a turning point”. Wainwright, a national co-convenor of Socialist Alliance, said that there was “no question that the Israeli army knew they were targeting an aid convoy” and that while they likely expected some “blowback” they believed they could withstand it.

“I think the Israelis have miscalculated,” he said, adding “we need to make it into a turning point.”

onthemegaphone7-4-24byalexbainbridge-web.jpg

Magan-djin/Brisbane rally, April 7. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

Palestinian activist, Jamal Nabulsi, at the Magan-djin/Brisbane protest summed up the feelings of many, saying: “It was honestly a shock to realise that this genocide has been ongoing for six months.”

“On the one hand I'm shocked that Israel's been able to commit a genocide of this scale and for so long, with not only international impunity but very active support, including from Australia.

“On the other hand, I just can't believe that six months have passed; October feels like it was last week.”

stopsupportingisraelswarcrimes7-4-24bypeterboyle.jpg

Stop supporting Israel's war crimes, Gadigal/Sydney, April 7. Photo: Peter Boyle

Thousands marched through the central business district of Gadigal/Sydney for the 26th consecutive weekend, Peter Boyle reports.

Protesters demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and an end to the genocide in Gaza. The crowd mourned the thousands of Palestinians who have been murdered by the Israeli armed forces as well as the international aid workers, including Australian Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, killed by Israel on April 1.

The rally also marked Palestinian Children's Day on April 5, and featured a die-in with protesters marking themselves in red to highlight the bloodshed.

gaza_genocide_we_wont_stop_marching_till_it_stops

A protest on April 4 outside the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Gadigal/Sydney highlighted that Elbit Systems manufactured the drone that killed Frankcom. The Albanese government approved a $900 billion contract with Elbit Systems in February.

Protesters are also maintaining a 24 hour per day vigil outside the Prime Minister's electoral office in Marrickville.

nojusticenopeace7-4-24byjacobandrewartha.jpg

No Justice? No Peace!, Naarm/Melbourne, April 7. Photo: Jacob Andrewarthat

Jacob Andrewartha reported from Naarm/Melbourne that the April 7 rally was “inspiring and lively”.

Local, suburban groups that have been organising to push local government bodies and federal politicians to oppose the genocide brought banners to the rally.

“No justice? No peace” read one of the banners.

moreadelaide7-4-24byrenfreyclarke.jpg

Nasser Mashni speaking in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide, April 7. Photo: Renfrey Clarke.

The April 7 rallyon the steps of South Australia's Parliament House in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide was also lively, reports Renfrey Clarke.

Around 800 people listened to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Australia-Palestine Advocacy Network President Nasser Mashni, among others, before marching through the city centre.

wesleyvigil5-4-24byalexsalmon.jpg

Wesley Church vigil, Boorloo/Perth, April 5. Photo: Alex Salmon

More than 30 people attended an April 5 vigil outside Wesley Church in Boorloo/Perth, reports Alex Salmon. The vigil was organised by Unionists for Palestine WA and supported by Friends of Palestine WA and the Palestinian community of WA.

They protested the killing of the 7 WCK aid workers. WCK had shared coordinates with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) before their convoy was struck when leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse.

Since October 7, Israel has killed 196 aid workers, according to the Aid Worker's Security Database.

WCK, which has opened more than 60 kitchens across Gaza and served more than 35 million meals in the last month, is now pausing its work there.

Friends of Palestine WA also organised a rally in the city on April 6 which also highlighted Palestinian Children's Day.