Rallies in support of Palestine and Israel to be held on hour apart on Sunday

Events will be held in Adelaide in support of both sides of the Gaza conflict this weekend – just an hour apart – with SA Police to keep a close watch.

As conflict in Gaza continues, tensions are rising between supporters of Israel and Palestine in Adelaide – with two solidarity events scheduled for this weekend just an hour apart.

A second rally in support of Palestine has been scheduled for this Sunday on the steps of parliament at 2pm, while a private vigil in support of the Israeli community is scheduled to start at 3pm.

After the “successful turnout” of an estimated 3000 people at their rally last week, pro-Palestinian groups have organised another protest to run this weekend.

Students for Palestine and the Adelaide Campaign Against Racism and Fascism said demonstrations were to continue “to oppose the continuing bombardment of Gaza by Israel”.

Attendees of the 'Solidarity with Palestine' rally filled the steps of Parliament House and North Terrace last Sunday. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Students for Palestine organiser Brianna Symmonds-Manne said the first rally demonstrated the “significant support for Palestinians under occupation by Israel in Australia”.

The rally organisers have called for an end to the war on Gaza, an end to the unconditional support for Israel from the Australian government and an immediate unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“The Australian government’s strident support for Israel’s unprecedented bombing campaign on Gaza and a probable ground invasion cannot be the only story that is told,” Ms Symmonds-Manne said.

“There are thousands of people here in Adelaide that refuse to be complicit in the active genocide occurring in Gaza.

“We were demanding the end to the war on Gaza. Current events in Gaza cannot be divorced from the context of 75 years of the brutal colonial occupation of historic Palestine and the 16-year siege on Gaza.”

A protester waves an Israeli national flag during a rally in support of the people of Israel Picture: Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP

The Jewish Community Council of South Australia (JCCSA) is hosting a private vigil in support of the Israeli community – just an hour after the pro-Palestine rally.

The United with Israel: Adelaide Community Vigil is scheduled to start at 3pm on Sunday and attendees are requested to arrive wearing white.

The event’s online page said that “at this challenging time, the Adelaide Jewish and Israeli community and friends of our community are invited to come together in solidarity to grieve, demonstrate support of our local community members impacted by the war in Israel, and stand with Israel”.

Registration is required for attendance to the event, with only the first 350 permitted to attend.

The location of the event is being kept secret from the public, and attendees will be notified only 48 hours prior.

An SA Police spokeswomen said “sufficient police resources will be provided to ensure a peaceful rally is held, to minimise traffic disruptions and that the safety of all members of the community is maintained”.

The spokeswomen also said that police were aware of the private event to be held by JCCSA.