Huge protest is planned for next weekend at the Opera House – as fears grow the demonstration could get out of hand
A fresh wave of protests is set to hit Sydney, with activists planning to march on the Opera House just days after the third anniversary of the October 7 terror attack.
The rally, organised by the Palestine Action Group, will be held on October 12 and ‘mark two years of genocide’. Protesters will demand the Albanese Government impose sanctions on Israel and end Australia’s arms trade with the country.
‘This is genocide in real time, and Australia cannot continue to look away,’ the group claimed.
The group slammed recent diplomatic proposals from Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming they pressure Palestinians to ‘relinquish their right to self-determination’ in exchange for a ‘vague’ ceasefire.
‘For two years, tens of thousands of people across this country have marched week after week demanding the Albanese Government sanction Israel,’ the organisers said.
‘Despite this, the government has failed to take any meaningful action to meet its obligations under international law to prevent and punish genocide.’
The October 12 protest will coincide with demonstrations nationwide. Organisers say they are inspired by past anti-war movements, including the 2003 Iraq War protests.
‘In 2003, the Howard Government ignored mass opposition to the invasion of Iraq, an illegal war that left millions dead,’ the group said.
A 2023 protest outside the Sydney Opera House saw an Israeli flag burned and flares shot
‘The Albanese Government faces the same choice: to stand with the people and uphold international law, or to side with foreign powers like the United States and be complicit in genocide.’
The Palestine Action Group has lodged a formal notice of intention to hold a public assembly, which is currently being reviewed by NSW Police. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when a decision will be made.
Australian is among dozens of countries that contribute to the supply chain of Israel’s F-35 jets used in the war on Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this week Australia does not directly supply arms to Israel.
The Opera House has become a major flashpoint for opposing views.
Protesters remain angry over the NSW State Government’s decision in 2023 to light the sails in the colours of Israel’s flag following the October 7 attacks.
On October 9, 2023, a large crowd gathered outside the Sydney Opera House for a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
The protest spiraled into disorder as flares were thrown, an Israeli flag was set alight on the steps of the Opera House, and some participants were heard chanting ‘f*** the Jews’.
‘The Minns Government has tarnished this legacy by lighting the sails in the colours of a genocidal apartheid regime,’ Palestine Action Group said.
Protestors have lodged an application to march on the Sydney Opera House on October 12
‘We will reclaim this space in the name of justice and humanity.’
Organisers insist the march will be ‘peaceful but resolute’.
‘The people of this country are united in saying: enough is enough.’
Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley blasted the timing of the protest so close to October 7 as ‘disgusting but not surprising.’
‘On a day when the Australian Jewish community will be coming together to mark the largest loss of life since the Holocaust, the fact these activists will continue to sow division and tear at social cohesion is disgusting but not surprising,’ Ms Ley said.
‘The Sydney Opera House belongs to all Australians, not activists and protestors. We must resist these efforts to use it as a symbol to sow division.’
Ley called on the group to urge Hamas to sign on to the Trump backed peace deal, which the terror group is understood to be considering.
‘[Protestors] should be focusing their voices on calling for Hamas’ terrorists to sign up, lay down their weapons and end the war they started’.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the timing of the march was ‘disgusting but not surprising’
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns said he would ‘leave it up to NSW Police.’
‘They will make the decision based on public safety grounds,’ he said.
‘I’m not going to offer public commentary before they’ve spoken, if for no other reason that I don’t want to draw attention to the organisers who seem to thrive on the notoriety of it all.’
Palestine Action Group organised the ‘March for Humanity’ Harbour Bridge protest for Palestine in August which was opposed by NSW Police.
The protest was granted approval by NSW Supreme Court Justice Belinda Rigg, who said that Palestine Action Group had showed a track record of keeping marches safe.
It is estimated 90,000 people turned up to that march.
