Pro-Palestine protest held in Melbourne following ugly scenes in Sydney

The new rallies have been planned following a controversial event in Sydney and another one in Melbourne following the Hamas attack on Israel.

A snap rally in support of Palestine has been held in Melbourne following tense scenes in Sydney, where flares were lit, and anti-Semitic slogans were chanted.

The rallies follow Israel’s retaliation against Islamic militants from Palestine’s ruling political faction Hamas, that launched a devastating surprise attack on their longstanding foes at the weekend.

Group Free Palestine Melbourne organised Tuesday evening’s snap protest on the steps of the Victorian State Library.

Crowds gather at the State Library in Melbourne in support of Palestine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Victoria Police indicated they were aware of Tuesday night’s event. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Hundreds of attendees gathered, chanting slogans like “Palestine will be free / from the river to the sea.”

Others brandished placards and banners with pro-Palestinian messages, one reading: “FREE PALESTINE BOYCOTT ISRAEL.”

Members of the crows also waved Aboriginal flags, with a man named Kieran, who performed the event’s welcome to country, telling the crowd there were parallels to be drawn between the treatment of Indigenous Australians and the people of Palestine.

“In our solidarity, we strive for nothing less than the complete dismantling of the oppressive structures that perpetuate insidious ideologies,” Kieran said.

Aboriginal flags could be seen peppered among a sea of Palestinian flags. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Palestinian university student Dana addressed the rally, taking aim at media reports branding Hamas a terrorist organisation, saying her people had been pushed to a breaking point following decades of Israeli oppression.

“For the past 75 years, we have been killed. We have been brutalised. We have been slaughtered,” she told the crowd.

“We have been ethnically cleansed, dispossessed and displaced, homes stolen, entire families wiped off the face of the earth, imprisoned, and dehumanised by the world.

“Palestinians have the right to protect themselves by any means necessary.”

About an hour into the event the group began moving through CBD streets, and started dissipating about 9pm.

The bulk of the group began moving towards Lonsdale St about an hour into the rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Despite the numbers rivalling those in the Sydney protest, there seemed to be no sign of anti-Semitism or troublemakers among the crowd, with a large police force present.

Hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched from Sydney Town Hall to the Opera House on Monday night.

Attendees were criticised for some anti-Jewish chanting that broke out among a small group, while one man brandishing an Israeli flag was arrested, NSW Police saying it was for his own protection.

Hundreds attended, many bearing placards with pro-Palestine or anti-Israel sentiments. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The rally for Palestine gets under way in Naarm/Melbourne. ✊🏽🇵🇸✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/SoDPBGz7z5

— Solidarity (@soli_aus) October 10, 2023

Authorities had hoped the event would be more subdued than Monday night in Sydney, where hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched from Town Hall to the Opera House.

Attendees were criticised for some anti-Jewish chanting that broke out among a small group, while one man brandishing an Israeli flag was arrested, NSW Police saying it was for his own protection.

More pro-Palestinian action is planned in Perth, Brisbane, and Canberra on Friday evening, and Adelaide will join repeat events in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday.

Hundreds of Palestine supporters rallied in Sydney on Monday night following the outbreak of war between Israel and Palestine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

They marched from Town Hall to the Opera House, but the protest was marred by some anti-Jewish chants. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the force would “have a highly visible presence” to prevent breaches of the peace and ensure the safety of the community.

“While individuals have the right to protest lawfully, we strongly encourage those attending to protest peacefully and without impacting the broader community,” the spokesperson said.

“Victoria Police retains close communications with all communities which have a strong interest in events unfolding in the Middle East.”

The death toll from what’s being called the Israel-Hamas War is believed to have exceeded 1500.

Originally published as Pro-Palestine protest held in Melbourne following ugly scenes in Sydney