Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Australia on Sunday to show solidarity with Palestinians, as Israel began pulling back troops under the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
Organisers from the Palestine Action Group estimated that around 30,000 people joined the main rally in Sydney’s central business district. The protest followed a court decision earlier in the week that blocked a planned gathering at the Sydney Opera House. Police did not provide an official crowd estimate but confirmed that the demonstrations were peaceful, with no arrests reported.
According to organisers, 27 pro-Palestinian protests were held nationwide on the same day, including in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The rallies reflected ongoing global outrage over the humanitarian toll of the conflict, which Gaza’s health authorities say has killed tens of thousands and destroyed much of the enclave.
Amal Naser, one of the Sydney organisers, said the ceasefire was not enough to address the root causes of the conflict. “Even if the ceasefire holds, Israel is still conducting a military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank,” she said in a statement. “The occupation as well as systemic discrimination against Palestinians living in Israel constitute an Apartheid system.”
Footage from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) showed thousands of demonstrators marching through Sydney’s closed city streets, many waving Palestinian flags.
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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which represents more than 200 Jewish organisations nationwide, condemned the rallies, accusing organisers of undermining peace efforts. “They want the deal to fail, which would mean the war would continue,” said Peter Wertheim, the group’s co-chief executive, in a statement.
The demonstrations form part of a growing international movement pressing governments to halt military support for Israel and increase aid to Gaza. Similar protests took place in London, Paris, and Washington over the weekend, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants.
In Australia, the rallies have reignited debate over the federal government’s handling of the conflict. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defence but has also urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, have warned against importing international tensions into domestic politics.
The ceasefire, brokered by Washington with backing from Egypt and Qatar, is expected to unfold in multiple stages, including the release of hostages and expanded aid access to Gaza. But organisers of Sunday’s rallies said they will continue to mobilise until the blockade on Gaza ends and Palestinians “achieve full rights and freedom.”