Thousands march across Australia ahead of 1st anniversary of Gaza genocide

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators took to the streets of Australia on Sunday to protest Israeli forces' continued brutal attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, ahead of the first anniversary of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.

Major rallies were held in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide amid heavy police presence, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

Thousands of people protested in Sydney's Hyde Park, carrying signs, placards, and flags, before marching through Melbourne's CBD, with organizers leading chants over megaphones.

Police were seen checking the crowd for green and yellow flags, and signs around the park warned against displaying illegal symbols such as the Hezbollah flag.

"We're here to demand that our government finally cut ties with the state of Israel, because enough is enough," Amao Naser, one of the organizers of the rally, told ABC, adding that the goal is to push the government to act.

Josh Lees of Palestine Action Group Sydney said the protesters have gathered to take a stand against the "ongoing genocide" in Gaza.

The demonstrations being held are more crucial than ever, he added

"This war on Lebanon that Israel is beginning, now they're threatening a regional war with Iran potentially too, so there's more reason than ever we need to get out and protest," Lee told the broadcaster.

In Melbourne, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered at Flinders Street Station before marching down Swanston Street from the State Library.

In Adelaide, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the South Australian Parliament House to lodge their protest.

- Tensions flared

At least one person was arrested at the Sydney rally for carrying an Israeli flag with a swastika in the center rather than the Star of David.

He is expected to be charged later this Sunday.

Tensions flared on Melbourne's Swanston Street, with a heavy police presence, after a member of Melbourne's Jewish community was removed from the pro-Palestinian protest by police officers, who said he was "purposely agitating" protesters.

Meanwhile, a handful of demonstrators supporting Israel set up photos at Rundle Mall in Adelaide of people they say are war hostages.

In Melbourne's Southbank, hundreds of Jewish people gathered for a memorial marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

The rally was also attended by some members of the Iranian community, who waved pre-Revolution Iranian flags alongside Israeli flags.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 41,800 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 96,900 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.