Gaza rallies continue in Melbourne and Sydney ahead of Christmas

A motorcade of cars has loudly passed through one capital city as part of ongoing protests calling for an end to violence in Gaza.

A convoy of cars and bikes have joined protests demanding a Free Palestine as the war continues in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

A convoy of cars and bikes have travelled through Melbourne calling for a permanent ceasefire to the ongoing conflict in Gaza as thousands simultaneously marched in Sydney.

Protests have been held weekly across all major Australian cities over the past three months, demanding an end to Israel’s invasion in the wake of the October 7 terror attack by Hamas.

Hundreds gathered in Coburg from 12pm as the convoy of cars decked out in Palestinian flags and protest signs, made their way through the northern suburbs before ending in Melbourne’s CBD.

Dozens of cyclists joined the motorcade along Sydney Road Coburg. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

The convoy travelled Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

Chants of “free free Palestine” were heard alongside beeping horns and music as the convoy progressed.

Another rally has also been organised at Melbourne’s State Library from 12pm.

Meanwhile, thousands more marched past Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral, demanding Israel end military action in Gaza and calling for Australia to “cut ties” with the country.

Protesters called for an end to violence. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Thousands marched past St Mary’s Cathedral. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The weekly protest drew large crowds despite occurring a day earlier than usual, with organisers wanting to “maximise numbers” and avoid participant’s Christmas Eve commitments.

The protests will continue into the evening, with a 20,000-candle vigil for Palestinian deaths planned at Paul Keating Park in Bankstown from 7.30pm.

Also on Saturday, a resolution calling for increased aid to Gaza was passed in the United Nations security council, urging all sides in the conflict to allow the “unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance”.

Organisers have vowed protests will continue in major Australian cities. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The move follows a warning from the UN’s World Food Programme that Gaza is at a “high risk of famine”.

Protests have been held weekly across the globe since war broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7, following an attack by the militant group.

In other Australian capital cities, organisers say protests will resume in the new year.