Child cradles dead baby prop in pro-Palestine protest held in Adelaide but police can’t stop it

A child was seen cradling a dead baby prop as part of a pro-Palestine protest held in Adelaide on the weekend – and police were powerless to stop the shocking act.

A protester holds an anti Benjamin Netanyahu sign during the Rally for Palestine on the steps Of Parliament House on Sunday, November 5. Picture: Mark Brake

More than 2000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at Parliament House on the weekend chanting “this is not a war, this is genocide”, highlighting the deaths of children following the siege of Gaza.

The crowd was told children accounted for 40 per cent of those killed so far.

Among the protesters was a preschool-aged child holding an object to wrapped in cloth to depict a deceased infant – an act police say may not actually constitute an offence.

Children were also among the speakers at the rally.

A young boy holds the representation of a dead baby’s body during the Rally for Palestine on the steps Of Parliament House Sunday, November 5. Picture Mark Brake

A representation of a dead child lies on the steps of Parliament House. Picture: Mark Brake

A police spokesperson said “SAPOL shares the views as stated by the Victorian Police Deputy Commissioner”.

“Whilst some slogans in chants or on banners may be offensive to some community members, they may not actually constitute an offence,” they said.

“Members of the public have the right to lawfully rally or protest to raise awareness of issues, the role of police at such events is to uphold the law and preserve the peace.”

The police spokesperson said Hamas is a “listed terrorist organisation” and “acts considered to be showing support for a terrorist organisation may constitute an offence under Commonwealth legislation (Division 102 of the Criminal Code Act, 1995) or state-based legislation (Section 83CA of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act, 1935).”

One of the rally’s MCs, Ahmed Azhar criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for dining with the US President Joe Biden, referring to last month’s State Dinner at the White House, and not demanding the Israeli war against Hamas stop.

“Labor’s response to this war in a bloodstain they will never wash of their soul,” he said.

Speaking to the crowd, Greens MLC Rob Simms said the Australian government must “step up” and demand a cease fire and provide “immediate support”.

Mr Simms said his party condemned the violence against innocent people, saying it was not self defence but war crimes.

Greens MLC Robert Simms speaks during the Rally for Palestine. Picture: Mark Brake

“The Greens stand for peace,” he said. “There is no justification for the response of Israel.”

Protester Simon Possingham, 24, said what was happening in Gaza was an “absolute disgrace”.

“What Israel is doing to Palestine is completely unjust and if you look at it historically it is an absolute genocide,” he said.

“They are killing innocent women and children, a lot of children. Almost 50 per cent of people in Palestine are under 18 which means a lot of the people they are bombing are children. It’s just a complete and utter slaughterhouse.”

The protesters were told to meet at the same place and time on November 19.

The Advertiser has attempted to contact the Jewish Community Council of South Australia for comment.