Anti-Israel protesters gather at Parliament House on anniversary of Hamas attacks to remember killed Palestinians
Despite strong calls from the Premier to cancel a planned vigil, about 80 protesters have met on the steps of Parliament House.
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About 80 protesters met on the steps of Parliament House on Monday night to hold a candlelit vigil for the thousands of Palestinian lives lost in the Middle East, despite strong calls to cancel the rally.
The pro-Palestinian gathering came after Premier Peter Malinauskas described the planned protest as “reckless, irresponsible and insensitive” for taking place on October 7.
The date marked the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel in which about 1200 innocent civilians were killed and 250 were taken hostage at a music festival.
Rally leader Habibah Jaghoori, dressed in yellow and green, told the Advertiser she wasn’t going to “bow down” to “Zionist intimidation”.
“Today is about remembering the lives of the men, women and children that have been ruthlessly murdered by Israel,” she said.
“We are actually all united — our Jewish comrades, our Christian comrades, our Muslim comrades and even our atheist comrades — we are all here today to mark one year of genocide.
Addressing her fellow protestors, she noted her voice was hoarse and said: “I have lost my voice and that’s okay, because people have lost their lives.”
The Adelaide protesters sat and stood on the steps of Parliament House, some waving Palestinian flags while almost all held photos of deceased Palestinians.
Names of the killed civilians were read out and there was a minute’s silence in their memory.
Over 20 police officers were present for the hour-long vigil, which concluded with the crowd chanting “free, free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea”.
On Sunday, in front of about 100 attendees, Ms Jaghoori compared Hezbollah’s slain leader with Nelson Mandela – who had similarly been “designated as a terrorist”.
Jewish community leader Norman Schueler spoke to The Advertiser in the lead up to the pro-Palestinian gathering on Monday – confirming the Jewish community had also held a vigil in Adelaide.
“Our community had a very quiet and dignified gathering today,” he said, adding it was “primarily for the Israelis.”
“We did not invite politicians, press or media,” he said. “It was exactly what the Israelis wanted and we hope they know we have reaffirmed our solidarity.”
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