Chants of āFree Free Palestineā and āFrom the River to the Seaā were heard around Sydney Town HallĀ on August 13, where more than 100 protesters stood in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.Ā The rally was organised by the Palestine Action Group.
The rally condemned Israelās latest attack on Gaza and its killing of at least 46 people, including 16 children. It also highlighted the continuing oppression of Palestinians, who have endured more than 70 years of brutal occupation by the apartheid Israeli regime.
Western imperialist countries, like the United States and Australia, support IsraelĀ despite itsĀ atrocities.
A spokesperson from the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, described the situation as a ābattle between neck and swordā.
Jasmine, from Students for Palestine, said Gaza has become an āopen air prisonā.Ā Israeli forces have blocked medical supplies, food and fuel from entering Palestine.
Fahad Ali, who co-organised the boycott of the Sydney Festival after it accepted sponsorship from the Israeli Embassy, read out the names of the 16 children killed by Israelās latest attack, asking:Ā āWhat greater crime can there be than the murder of innocents?ā
However, Ali said there is hope because the āpro-Israel consensus is beginning to collapseā, despite millions spent on PR and whitewashing.
New South Wales police attempted to block the rally from marching, but protesters managed a short march onĀ the footpath around Town Hall.
Video:Ā PROTEST: Sydney stands with Palestine.Ā .