Sydney protests: Pro-Palestinian rally at Hyde Park as Israel supporters fly kites in Dover Heights
Israeli supporters took to the sky to fly kites in the eastern suburbs on Sunday with Palestinian supporters attending a rally in the city at Hyde Park accompanied by a heavy police presence.
NSW
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Two separate rallies have taken place in Sydney, with the Jewish community flying kites in Sydney’s east while pro-palestinian’s took to the CBD to protest the ongoing war in Gaza.
A strong police presence could be seen as crowds gathered in Hyde Park.
It comes after weeks of protests across the city in which supporters from both sides of the conflict have taken to the city’s streets in largely peaceful showings.
Hundreds gathered for another pro-Palestine rally on Sunday.
Flags dotted the park, with community leaders chanting “Palestine will be free”.
Many held signs depicting children who had been killed in Gaza, with others holding signs saying “love, life and liberation”.
Sydney man Emad Assaad, his wife Reda and their young family came out in support of people under bombardement in Gaza.
Ms Assaad said that it was important to protest against the killing of civilians and children no matter where they came from.
“Whenever any civilian or child is killed it’s wrong, it doesn’t matter who it is- what race, what religion, it doesn’t matter,” she said.
About 11.30am children waving blue butterfly kites and holding the Israeli flag lined Rodney reserve in Dover’s Height on Sunday, renewing calls to bring home Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.
Organisers of the Bring Them Home event said the community would continue to come out in support of the people of Israel, despite increasing tensions across Sydney over the conflict in the Middle East.
Many of Sydney’s Jewish community who were in attendance said they felt the effects of rising antisemitism but that it was important to be tolerant.
Jonathan Gavshon and his young family came out to fly kites in memory of the hostages who passed and those who are still not free.
The Bellevue Hill resident said that while the community had felt the effects of rising tensions locally it was important to remember what it means to be Australian.
“It’s important as Australians to be tolerant and with rising antisemitism, it’s important to call it out,” he said.
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Originally published as Sydney protests: Pro-Palestinian rally at Hyde Park as Israel supporters fly kites in Dover Heights
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