CBD rally condemns Gaza violence

Several hundred people attended a rally through Central Sydney on Saturday to condemn the recent violence in Gaza and the Australian Government’s subsequent response.

The rally commenced at Town Hall, travelled through Pitt St and finished at the United States Consulate in symbolic protest of the United States’ ongoing support for Israel.

High-profile community figures attended including NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, NSW Legislative Council member Lynda Voltz of Labor and prominent journalist Antony Lowenstein. The rally comprised individuals from various groups including the Socialist Alliance, the Greens, the Labor Party and pro-Palestine activists. It was endorsed by 29 various unions, community and activist groups.

Convenor of the Socialist Alliance’s contingent in the rally, Patrick Harrison said violence in the region was unacceptable and the Australian Government needs to do more to procure peace.

“Our key demand is for the massacre to end,” he said. “We are also condemning Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the Australian Government’s support of Israel at every step of the fighting.”

Nonetheless, there is division in the community about recent events in Gaza.

The NSW Board of Jewish Deputies said it supports Israel’s recent actions.

“No country should accept a reality whereby civilians are continuously threatened by rockets fired by terrorists. Australia wouldn’t, neither should Israel,” said an online statement by the Board of Deputies.

The Board of Deputies portrayed Israel’s conduct as self-defence.

“Hamas and other terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip are flagrantly committing double war crimes … At the same time, the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] is making the utmost effort to minimise harm to civilians,” said the statement.

The rally demanding parliamentary action was supported by the Greens. NSW Greens Legislative Council member David Shoebridge will introduce a similar motion to Federal Greens leader Christine Milne condemning the violence. The motion calls for the Australian Government to use its position on the UN Security Council to push for a two-state solution.

“Violence on all sides needs to stop,” said Mr Shoebridge.

Mr Harrison said the main goal of the rally was to create awareness and pressure the government to further support Palestine.

“Most polls suggest that the community is sympathetic to Palestine and we need to let the government know that,” he said.

Mr Harrison was unsure about the impact of the rally on achieving real policy change.

“There are significant [transnational] forces at play that make it difficult for us,” he said.