Second Toowoomba vigil for peace in Palestine to be held at East Creek Park in CBD

There are hopes for more than 100 people to attend the second Toowoomba vigil for Palestine near the CBD this weekend.

Organisers of a second Toowoomba vigil in support of Palestinians are hoping to double the number of participants from the previous event.

Amnesty International and members of the Palestinian community will hold their latest protest on Sunday at East Creek Park.

It comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue engaging with Hamas combatants in Gaza, following the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire at the start of the month.

The conflict since Hamas’ attacks on October has reportedly killed more than 16,000 Palestinians according to figures out of the Gaza Strip, half of which are women and children.

More than 1200 Israelis have also been killed.

UN officials have called the humanitarian operation in Gaza “non-existent” due to Israel’s military attacks in the south of the enclave.

The Toowoomba vigil will call for “sustained ceasefire” in the conflict to not only allow for the release of all hostages and prisoners but also permanent peace talks.

Toowoomba Vigil for Peace in Palestine at East Creek Park, Saturday, November 25, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It is a peaceful event, and it’s calling for peace, it’s not taking sides,” Amnesty International Toowoomba convener Phil Armit said.

More than 60 people braved the inclement weather at the first vigil at the same location on November 25, and Mr Armit said he wanted to see even more residents attend on Sunday.

“(More than 100 participants) would be fabulous, that would be really good,” he said.

“It would be great to see more long-term residents turning up — a lot of the people who came had some lived experience with persecution.”

The vigil will start at 2pm.

Originally published as Second Toowoomba vigil for peace in Palestine to be held at East Creek Park in CBD