NSW Premier Chris Minns Condemns “Heartless” October 7 Vigils For Palestine

NSW Premier Chris Minns has condemned two “heartless” pro-Palestinian Gaza vigils taking place today in Sydney and Wollongong, on the anniversary of the October 7 terror attack in Israel which saw over 1,200 people killed. 

According to Minns and other groups, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry among them, these pro-Palestinian vigils have chosen October 7 to be deliberately provocative.

“I think these organisers, in many cases, thrive on the notoriety and the attention they get,” Minns said of both vigils.

The Sydney vigil, organised by Jews Against the Occupation 48, is operating under the slogan “don’t let Israel steal the date”, and aims to commemorate the beginning of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians.

For These Vigil Organisers, October 7 Belongs To Gaza Too

For this group and countless others actively opposing the genocide in Gaza, October 7 is not only a significant day of mourning for Israelis, but also the day Netanyahu launched his genocidal campaign against Palestine, which has since killed an estimated 75,000 people.

Among those who are using October 7 as an opportunity to speak on behalf of the Palestinian cause are the Jewish Council of Australia.

“This week marks three years since Israel began its genocide against Palestinians in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks that killed over 1,000 people in Israel and saw hundreds taken hostage,” said Sarah Schwartz, Executive Director of the Jewish Council of Australia.

“Three years on from October 7 and Israel is still using this awful attack to justify its ongoing genocide and campaign of ethnic cleansing.

“According to conservative estimates Israel has killed at least 1 out of every 31 people in Gaza since 7 October 2023. The UN, and all major human rights organisations agree that Israel is committing a genocide.”

Schwartz went on to implore the Australian Government to impose state sanctions against Israel and hold the state accountable for its war crimes. 

“With no end in sight to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, the Jewish Council of Australia reiterates its call for an immediate end to Israel’s genocide, occupation, and apartheid regime. Peace and safety will never be achieved without Palestinian rights to self-determination, equality and freedom.”