With anniversary of war on Gaza looming, Australian government feeling the heat

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Australia’s Labor government is facing mounting pressure as it struggles to manage widespread pro-Palestinian protests, fueled by grassroots movements across the country nearly a year into Israel’s relentless offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Ahead of the first anniversary of Israel’s war on Gaza, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, civil society groups have called for demonstrations to protest ongoing violence and demand support for Palestinians.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned protesters against taking part in pro-Palestinian rallies on the anniversary of Oct. 7, which falls on next Monday, saying they would be “provocative.” He urged the public to exercise caution and consider the sensitivities of the situation, stating that such protests would not help any cause.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton voiced similar views, arguing that the anniversary of Oct. 7 “should not be commemorated” and called on the government to stop the protests. “Both state and federal governments must take all necessary steps to prevent these protests,” Dutton told 9News.

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New South Wales police, after discussions with the Australian Federal Police, have applied to the NSW Supreme Court to block two planned protests. In a statement, they emphasized that while they support the right to free speech and peaceful assembly, public safety remains their top priority.

The Human Rights Law Centre criticized the move, calling for the police to withdraw the court application. “The right to protest is a vital part of democracy and must be defended,” the group said.

In a related development, Dutton also called for the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, after the diplomat praised Hezbollah’s leader on social media, calling him an “exceptional leader.” Dutton argued that Sadeghi should be declared persona non grata and removed from his post.

Iran on Monday launched some 180 missiles at Israel, saying they came in response to Tel Aviv’s assassination of leaders of both Hezbollah and Palestinian group Hamas.

Australian human rights activist Sophie McNeill condemned Dutton’s comments, accusing him of misrepresenting the pro-Palestinian movement. She said that for the past year, peaceful protests across Australia have called for an immediate cease-fire and an end to civilian casualties.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel launched an offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border raid by Hamas which killed fewer than 1,200 people. In the year since, Israeli forces have killed nearly 41,800 people, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 97,000 others, 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 also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.