Aussies rally in two capital cities to protest Israel-Palestine conflict

Australians turned out to protest the conflict in Palestine this week, with a confronting display to convey almost 700 lives lost.

Hundreds are expected to turn out at multiple rallies hosted in two capital cities to demonstrate support for opposing sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The rallies have taken place every weekend since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 695 civilians.

A further 18,700 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory attacks undertaken by the Israeli government in the weeks that followed.

About 11am on Sunday, dozens of people gathered in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills to “unite and recognise” the atrocities committed on Israeli and Jewish women by Hamas on October 7.

Dozens of Pro-Israel protesters gather at Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The protesters wish to reflect on the Israeli people killed during the October 7 attacks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

They are draped in Israel flags. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The rally organisers strung a thread between trees and hung clothes soaked with red paint to mimic blood from them, alongside pictures of some of the Israeli citizens impacted by the event.

Some draped in Israeli flags, the protesters mingled peacefully in the park.

Pro-Palestine rallies are taking place in both Sydney and Melbourne from 1pm, with attendees calling for a ceasefire and an end to Israeli occupation of Palestine.

A protester poses the photo of a 26-year-old victim of the October 7 attacks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The clothes are spattered with red paint to appear blood soaked. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Melbourne protesters will march to the Victorian parliament to take their concerns directly to those in power.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for a “sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza in a joint statement issued alongside the leaders of New Zealand and Canada.

“We want to see this pause resumed and support urgent international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire,” the statement said.

“This cannot be one-sided. Hamas must release all hostages, stop using Palestinian civilians as human shields, and lay down its arms.”

Later that day, Australia voted in favour of a ceasefire at an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly held in New York.

It was a marked change of tone after earlier abstaining from taking part in a vote on the same issue in October.

Originally published as Aussies rally in two capital cities to protest Israel-Palestine conflict