As Israel unleashes more bombing terror across Gaza, protesters took to the streets in emergency snap actions across the country over March 20–23.
While Israel had been breaking the first stage of the three-part ceasefire agreement in many different ways, it abandoned it completely on March 18, relaunching a ground war and aerial offensive aimed at women, children and journalists. More than 700 people were killed within three days of the offensive.
The latest journalist to be assassinated was Al Jazeera’s Hossam Shabat, 23, whose car was targeted in the eastern part of Beit Lahiya. His final pre-written message posted on X said: “If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed — most likely targeted — by the Israeli occupation forces.”
Shabat wrote that over the last 18 months of war, he had dedicated “every moment” to his people.
“I documented the horrors in northern Gaza minute by minute, determined to show the world the truth they tried to bury. I slept on pavements, in schools, in tents — anywhere I could. Each day was a battle for survival. I endured hunger for months, yet I never left my people’s side.”
His final plea was: “I ask you now: do not stop speaking about Gaza. Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories — until Palestine is free.”
The number of media workers killed by Israel since October 2023 is now 208. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for an independent investigation into whether the killing of Shabat and Palestine Today journalist Mohammad Mansour in Khan Younis on March 24 constitutes a war crime.
According to Al Jazeera, more than 700 people have been killed, including hundreds of children since March 18.
United States President Donald Trump said Hamas would have “hell to pay” if they did not release all the hostages immediately.
Foreign minister Penny Wong said on March 18 that Australia supports the ceasefire and a permanent end to hostilities, but also said the “terrorist group Hamas” must free the remaining hostages “immediately” and “unconditionally”.
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At the snap rally at Sydney Town Hall on Gadigal Country on March 20, protesters demanded Labor cut ties with the genocidal state of Israel, reports Isaac Nellist.
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees, who MC’d the rally, said Wong’s reference to a peace process is a lie.
“Israel never had any interest in peace,” agreed Palestinian activist and researcher Ahmed Abadla.
Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi said there is no red line for Labor when it comes to supporting Israel. “There are no limits to [Labor’s] inhumanity, cowardice and hypocrisy.”
Faruqi said people from all walks of life had been vilified for condemning the genocide.
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Jasmine al Rawi, Students for Palestine activist at the University of Sydney (USyd), asked: “How many more children have to be massacred, how many protests do we have to have to make our government listen?”
“Israel wants the total eradication of Palestine and that has been greenlit by the Australian government.”
Al Rawi expressed solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Palestine student activist in the US who has been arrested and threatened with deportation for his activism.
Al Rawi said students in Australia were also being targeted, including Luna, a transgender refugee student at USyd who was threatened with suspension for writing pro-Palestine messages on university whiteboards.
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Protesters marched on Anthony Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville, on Gadigal Country/Sydney on March 22, reports Peter Boyle. Speakers expressed anger at his government’s failure to condemn and break military ties with Israel.
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At least 600 people rallied in Magan-djin/Brisbane on March 21 against Israel’s breaking of the Gaza ceasefire, reported Jonathan Strauss.
Greens candidate Remah Najim, the chair and speakers, including Socialist Alliance candidate Alex Bainbridge, rejected Australia’s ongoing complicity in the genocide, including senior government ministers’ refusal to condemn Israel’s latest massacres. Several speakers called on people to vote for Palestine at the upcoming federal election.
The rally followed prayers for those participating in fasting for Ramadan.
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More than 10,000 people joined the rally in Naarm/Melbourne on March 23, reported Angela Carr. A small group of pro-Israel Zionists attempted but were unable to disrupt the start of the rally.
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