‘Ceasefire now’: Hundreds to take to Gold Coast streets for Palestine
Hundreds are expected to take to the streets of Southport in the largest Palestine solidarity demonstration on the Gold Coast since October 7. All the details
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Gold Coasters attending rallies for a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza say calls for freedom of Palestinians aren’t “rooted in anti-Semitism” but “a plea for humanity”.
Community leaders say “humanity is crying out for Palestine” with hundreds expected on city streets this weekend to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
On Saturday, Southport’s Nerang St, Scarborough St and Cloyne Rd will temporarily close for marchers in a third week of peaceful protest against what UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory Francesca Albanese described as Israel’s “unrelenting bombardment” of Gaza.
Last week, a hundred-plus gathered at Victoria Park, Broadbeach, including Coast health-business duo The Merrymaker Sisters – Emma Papas and Carla Papas-Karanges.
“We join because we’re utterly heartbroken over the crisis in Gaza,” they said in a statement.
“We can’t ignore the killing of over 12,000 Palestinians, a number that continues to climb. Australia is thousands of kilometres away, but we can’t turn away from the horrors. We can’t ignore the indiscriminate bombing that has killed so many children. In what world is this OK?
“Our call for a ceasefire and the freedom of Palestinians is not rooted in anti-Semitism. We mourn for the Israelis also killed. We’ve also witnessed Jewish individuals among the protests and speaking. These protests are a plea for humanity.”
Gold Coast Islamic Society chairman Hussin Goss said all faiths, nationalities and communities were “shattered” at “genocide of Palestinians”.
“The way it is happening, (Israel) wants to exterminate the Palestinian people. (They) have nothing. No supplies, no fuel, food, water. People are dying, children are dying.
“We as Aussies, we as Muslims, we as Gold Coasters – need to voice our opinion and express our heartbreak.”
At November 23, 14,532 Palestinians have been killed including 6000 children, some days old. In the West Bank about 225 people have been killed.
On Thursday, Israel and Hamas reached a temporary four-day ceasefire deal after six weeks of war for a hostage swap.
A statement by protest co-organisers ‘Free Palestine Australia’ said protesters would continue to call for a ceasefire on Saturday.
Protests are being held across Australia, with tens of thousands attending since Hamas’ October 7 attack sparked the escalation in violence. The co-ordinated attacks killed 1200 Israelis including 859 civilians and at least 345 Israeli soldiers in one day, with 200 taken hostage.
Since October 7, hate incidents reported to the Islamophobia Register Australia have surged “at a staggering rate” with more than 200 reports according to Executive Director Sharara Attai.
Ms Attai said it represented the highest reporting period since the registry was established nine years ago.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, attending Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s reopening this week in solidarity with the Jewish community said “as the conflict continues, anti-Semitism is on the rise”, The Australian reported. “But we will not let it find so much as a foothold here.”
Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur Ms Albanese condemned what she called Israel’s disproportionate retaliation, telling the National Press Club of Australia the Israel-Hamas war was the most “epic failure” since the United Nations’ creation.
“Claiming a non-existent right to self-defence under the UN Charter, Israel has embarked on an unrelenting bombardment of Gaza,” she said.
“We have already warned three weeks ago against the risk Israel might commit the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people. The statements by made by Israeli politicians and military unveil a genocidal intent to wipe out Gaza and this should not be ignored.”
Israel had the right to protect itself but under international law had no right to wage war, she said.
Israeli ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon has said “(Israel) did not ask for this war”.
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Originally published as ‘Ceasefire now’: Hundreds to take to Gold Coast streets for Palestine
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