Gaza war: Calls grow for a permanent ceasefire

December 5, 2023
Issue 
Ceasefire now! sign in Meanjin/Brisbane rally, December 3
Ceasefire now! sign in Meanjin/Brisbane rally, December 3. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

Palestine solidarity activists answered Israel's resumption of bombing and slaughter in Gaza with another round of mass demonstrations on the weekend of December 2-3. This marked the eighth straight week of demonstrations in some cities.

More than 1000 Palestinians and their supporters gathered in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide on December 3 outside South Australia’s Parliament House to denounce the continuing Israeli assault on Gaza reports Renfrey Clarke.

This was the sixth solidarity action held since the genocide began.

After speeches from Palestinian community figures, a student representative and Australian Friends of Palestine spokesperson Mike Khizam, protesters staged a march through the city centre.

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Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide. Photo: Renfrey Clarke

Two mobilisations at the port in Walyalup/Fremantle delayed the Israeli-owned ZIM ship for 24 hours on December 2 costing the company roughly $250,000, reports Sam Wainwright.

The overwhelming majority of the workforce turned around and went home instead of trying to cross the picket.

Last month, ZIM chief executive Eli Glickman said the company would be "positioning its ships and infrastructure" to aid Israel's defence ministry.

The next day, over 1000 people rallied in the city.

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Hundreds attend community picket at Fremantle Port, December 2
Hundreds attend community picket at Fremantle Port, December 2. Photo: Alex Salmon

Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers was forced to cancel his electorate Christmas party after Palestine solidarity activists decided to rally nearby, reports Alex Bainbridge from Meanjin/Brisbane.

Activists pointed out that Christmas has been cancelled in Bethlehem and that celebrations are not appropriate while genocide is underway and the federal Labor government is supporting the genocide!

“All I want for Christmas is a ceasefire” read one banner at the December 3 rally.

Unfortunately, Chalmers cancelled out of cowardice, not principle.

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Protesting in front of Jim Chalmers' electoral office, December 3
Protesting in front of Jim Chalmers' electoral office, December 3. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

After marching past the venue where the party had been going to be, activists drove to Chalmers' office for an incredibly lively protest. They presented Chalmers with a Christmas card calling for “ceasefire now”.

1500 people rallied in the first pro-Palestine rally outside the CBD and then hundreds joined the protest at Chalmers' office.

Justice for Palestine activists also called for ceasefire on November 30 when Queensland politicians lit the lights on Christmas tree at state parliament.

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Gold Coast rally for a free Palestine, December 2
Gold Coast rally for a free Palestine, December 2. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

About 200 people gathered on the Gold Coast on December 2 to oppose Australian support for Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and to demand a permanent ceasefire, reports Susan Price.

The rally heard from members of the local Palestinian community, Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, the Greens and local Muslim community members.

CFMMEU leader Christy Cain spoke to 20,000 - 30,000 people in Naarm/Melbourne on December 3, reports Jacob Andrewartha.

Cain made a passionate call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “get off his knees” and call for a ceasefire by Israel. He also called on the union movement to ramp up activism on the issue, including for a union peace rally.

The rally followed another 100-strong protest outside Labor MP Peter Kkalil's office during the week.

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Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide. Photo: Renfrey Clarke

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Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide rally, December 3
Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide rally, December 3. Photo: Renfrey Clarke

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Palestinian genocide, not Israeli-Hamas war, Naarm/Melbourne, December 3
Palestinian genocide, not Israeli-Hamas war, Naarm/Melbourne, December 3. Photo: Jordan AK

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Rally in Naarm/Melbourne, December 3
Rally in Naarm/Melbourne, December 3. Photo: Jordan AK

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Free Palestine placards, Meanjin/Brisbane, December 3
Free Palestine placards, Meanjin/Brisbane, December 3. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

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Ceasefire now, Meanjin/Brisbane, December 3
Ceasefire now, Meanjin/Brisbane, December 3. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

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Stop killing children, Gold Coast, December 2
Stop killing children, Gold Coast, December 2. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

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Muloobinba/Newcastle on December 2. Photo: Gerard Harris

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Muloobinba/Newcastle on December 2. Photo: Gerard Harris

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