Thousands of Australians rallied on Sunday in support of Palestine, as tensions between Israel and Australia deepened over the Albanese government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state. Organisers said more than 40 demonstrations took place across the country, with major turnouts in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. The Palestine Action Group estimated about 350,000 participants nationwide, though police figures were far lower in Brisbane—around 10,000 compared to organisers’ claim of 50,000. No official crowd numbers were released for Sydney or Melbourne.
In Sydney, protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free, free Palestine,” with organiser Josh Lees stating the rallies demanded “an end to the genocide in Gaza” and urged the government to impose sanctions on Israel. The events, however, drew criticism from Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, who told Sky News the demonstrations created “an unsafe environment and shouldn’t be happening.”
The protests come amid growing diplomatic friction after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Earlier this month, Australia conditionally recognised Palestinian statehood, following similar decisions by France, Britain, and Canada. The move came just days after tens of thousands marched across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, calling for peace and humanitarian aid for Gaza, where Palestinian officials report more than 60,000 deaths since Israel’s offensive began nearly two years ago.
