Thousands attend pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne while police investigate Hitler posters in Sydney

Large crowds have gathered for a Free Palestine rally in Melbourne as police investigate offensive posters.

Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered to Melbourne calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and chanting ‘Shame Labor! Shame!’

Record numbers brought traffic to a halt in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday afternoon, marking the sixth protest against Israel’s war on Hamas held across Australia this week.

Rally goers were seen carrying signs that read ‘Justice for Palestine’ and ‘Albanese you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide’.

I reckon the biggest crowd so far in Narrm Melbourne in support of Palestinians against Israel’s genocide. “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” pic.twitter.com/d4znxxrNGC

— James Conlan 🏳️‍🌈 (@JamesMConlan) November 5, 2023

Protesters marched from the state’s library and through the CBD streets where police were seen lined up outside of Victoria’s parliament.

Pro-Palestine rallies also took place in Adelaide on Friday night, and in Sydney and Brisbane on Saturday. Other protests were held in Perth and Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

‘Disgraceful’

Police have launched an investigation after posters caricaturing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Adolf Hitler were displayed along two busy roads in Sydney.

The Australian Jewish Association posted pictures to its social media channels earlier on Sunday.

HITLER POSTERS PLACED AROUND SYDNEY

Reports from Syd Einfeld Drive, Southern Cross Drive etc.

Pro-'Palestine' does seem to = anti-Jewish most of the time.

They just can't help themselves pic.twitter.com/fx7KOxIcjh

— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) November 5, 2023

NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane said the posters were “vile” and said police were surveilling CCTV footage to find whoever was responsible.

“These anti-Semitic displays are targeted and vile and have no place in any community,” she said.