Lakemba pro-Palestine rally held with hundreds in attendance to support Hamas attack on Israel
Both sides of politics have slammed last night’s pro-Palestine rally in Lakemba, with Premier Chris Minns saying no one should be celebrating “atrocious acts of violence”.
NSW
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Both sides of politics have slammed last night’s pro-Palestine rally in Lakemba, with Premier Chris Minns saying no one should be celebrating “atrocious acts of violence”.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Minns hit out at the gathering held Monday night.
“There is nothing to celebrate in the killing of innocents, the firing of rockets at civilians, or the taking of hostages. The actions of Hamas must be condemned,” he said.
“Far from celebrating this violence – the only appropriate response is to denounce these atrocious acts of violence that have killed so many innocent people.”
NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman said he was disappointed to see people celebrating the attack overnight.
“It was disappointing to see overnight and this morning celebrating brutality, celebrating barbarous acts of torture and murder,” he said.
“Opinions can differ on what should be the long term boundaries or long term outcome in the least. But there is never an excuse for attacking civilians, let alone for celebrating that attack.
“We all stand with our Jewish community today.”
Mr Speakman said Sydney’s Palestinian community was much respected in the state.
“They are part of the great modern cultural fabric of New South Wales society and we embrace them and respect them,” he said.
“But the respect is a two way thing and they need to respect the human rights of Jews here in New South Wales and Israeli citizens across the world and in Israel.”
Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane, said she had received calls from schools and businesses in her electorate who were concerned about security.
“I don’t want to name them but you can understand why after seeing the scenes in Western Sydney and the scenes overseas over the weekend that people would be concerned,” she said.
“The people in my community have family and friends in Israel at the moment and some of them can’t get in touch with those family and friends.”
Their stance comes after bystanders filmed the moment fireworks were shot from a ute along a main road in Sydney’s southwest as its occupants wave Palestinian flags from the vehicle’s windows.
Red and green fireworks can be seen launching from the rear seat window as the silver ute slowly cruises along Waterloo Rd in Greenacre on Sunday night.
The man filming can be heard saying, “There you go, live from Greenacre.”
The occupants appear to be celebrating the attacks launched by Hamas in Israel on Saturday with at least two Palestinian flags spotted flying from the car windows while several honks from the horn echoed into the street.
The incident was not reported at the time, but NSW Police have confirmed that an investigation has commenced and they’re searching for the vehicle and its occupants.
The circulating video has been re-shared several times, drawing the attention of hundreds of exasperated users.
“Muslims celebrate the murder of Israeli women & children, Greenacre, Sydney,” The Australian Jewish Association said on Twitter.
“These people are monsters,” Chanan Mishra said.
Muslims celebrate the murder of Israeli women & children, Greenacre, Sydney pic.twitter.com/BojSEpyo0f
— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) October 8, 2023
“Sydney is beyond human comprehension! Even animals wouldn’t do it! Would they?” Popular entertainer Kamahl AM commented.
It comes after a Palestinian rally was held to express support for the attacks launched in Israel on Sunday night.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the land, sea, and air assault by Hamas and those who gathered in support of the violence, after celebrations broke out in Sydney’s southwest.
On Sunday night, a Palestinian rally was held to express support for the attacks launched in Israel.
People in their hundreds flocked to Lakemba Station on Sunday night, just a day after at least 700 people were killed in Israel and another 2000 were reportedly injured, according to the country’s media.
Australian onlookers were seen cheering and shouting as a series of speakers preached their praises for the Palestinian attacks, which began on Saturday.
“I’m smiling and I’m happy. I’m elated,” Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun said to the crowd.
“It’s a day of courage, it’s a day of resistance, it’s a day of pride, it’s a day of victory.
“This is the day we’ve been waiting for.”
The statements were followed by loud cheers from the crowd.
Mr Albanese told Sunrise there was “no victory with the slaughter of innocent people”.
“The capturing of the people and taking them back to Gaza represents an extraordinary action by Hamas. And Israel, of course, has a right to defend itself, and it will.”
On Sunday night, Sheikh Dadoun said the attacks were a fitting response to years of occupation and blockade.
“75 years of occupation and 15 years of blockade that Palestinians have faced since the instatement of Israel,” he shouted.
“What happened yesterday is the first time our brothers and sisters break through the largest prison on earth.
“Their land was taken away from them, their homes were destroyed, their children were killed for generations and what do you expect?
“It didn’t happen by itself, it didn’t happen on its own, it didn’t come out of a vacuum, my brothers and sisters Palestine will be free.”
Crowds were heard chanting “Palestine will be free” and “Allahu Akbar” — which is Arabic for God is great — throughout the gathering.
Numerous signs held by women and children were also spotted in the crowd.
“The Khilafah will be the true response,” one said.
“Stop prosecuting Muslims,” another sign said.
“Free Palestine,” T-shirts and signs read.
NSW Police were in attendance monitoring the situation but said the crowd were “generally well behaved” and complied with police direction.
‘Reminiscent of the Holocaust’
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said he was concerned for the security of the Jewish community in Sydney as the situation in Israel worsens.
“What we don’t want is what we’re seeing right now in London and France where Jewish neighbourhoods are being targeted. I’m afraid it could happen here in Sydney,” he said.
Mr Ryvchin said last night’s rally in western Sydney was a “sickening display” which has “no place in civilised society”.
“These people have seen the same footage that we’ve seen of soldiers going door to door hunting jews, massacring civilians, snatching children from the hands of their parents… and see it as a cause to rejoice,” he said.
“It is truly devastating and sickening to see such inhumanity and I place the blame at their leaders – the clerics that incite them, that told them that this is okay and I think they need to be held to account for this.
“It is no exaggeration to say that this has been one of the darkest days in the history of the Jewish people.”
The council’s president Jillian Segal echoed his sentiments, saying Hamas’ attack was one of the ‘single deadliest days’ since the Holocaust.
“To me it is very reminiscent of the Holocaust – it is not a military operation… individuals have been captured, tortured, taken and individually killed just as it happened in the Holocaust.”
Ms Segal thanked Premier Chris Minns for the government’s gesture in lighting the Sydney Opera House with the Israeli flag on Monday evening.
Numerous signs held by women and children were also spotted in the crowd.
“The Khilafah will be the true response,” one said.
“Stop prosecuting Muslims,” another sign said.”
“Free Palestine,” T-shirts and signs read.
NSW Police were in attendance monitoring the situation but said the crowd were “generally well behaved” and complied with police direction.
No concern of tension escalating in NSW
Education Minister Jason Clare wants all Australians to condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas militants in Israel but is not concerned about growing tensions in his southwest Sydney electorate over the international conflict.
Mr Clare’s electorate of Blaxland is home to a significant Arab and Muslim population but the MP remained positive that “Australians are good… people” amid concerning reports of pro-Palestine rallies celebrating the attacks.
“In Australia we celebrate the end of war,” Mr Clare said.
“All Australians should condemn the attack by Hamas on Israel. And all Australians should come together in wanting to see the protection of lives, be it in Israel or in Palestine.”
Mr Clare would not be drawn on whether Australia should provide support to Israel and if Israel should exercise restraint in its retaliation on Palestine — referring the matters to Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“Australians are good, honest, hardworking people. Obviously we see what happens on the other side of the world and it worries all Australians,” he said.
“I’m more worried about the scenes that we see on television at the front pages of the newspapers today.”
Related: Israel-Hamas war - who are the key players?
Responding to concerns that the government’s condemnation of the Hamas attacks will weaken the Muslim community’s support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament just days out of the referendum.
Mr Clare said there was strong support for the Voice within the Muslim community but he had not spoken to members in the aftermath of the Israel attack.
“I do know that there is strong support within the Islamic community in Australia for the most part.”
War declared
The surprise attack on Saturday was the deadliest in Israel in half a century.
Hamas gunmen used explosives to break through the border fence enclosing Gaza, then crossed with motorcycles, pick-up trucks, paragliders and speed boats on the coast.
The Israeli government officially declared war on Hamas on Sunday, setting the stage for a merciless response to Saturday’s incursion by the Islamist militant group.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in Melbourne the “targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages is never a cause for celebration”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working to identify if any Australians had been caught up in the attack on Israel.
Senator Wong said on Monday the government had not been informed that any Australians had been killed, hospitalised or taken hostage.
“We urge Australians in Israel, if you have not already done so, to contact your families to assure us all of your safety,” she said.
Official travel advice has been updated to urge people to not travel to Gaza and areas near the strip’s border.
“Authorities are also monitoring security on Israel’s northern border and have asked residents of some towns to evacuate, including in Rosh Hanikra, Adamit, Bezet and Hanita,” Smart Traveller has warned.
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