On October 6 and 7, one year after Israel began its assault in Gaza in response to a fatal attack by Palestinian Hamas terrorists, Australian authorities attempt to disallow a pro-Palestine demonstration in Sydney.
Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, and the Middle East is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis.
New South Wales state police said in a statement late on Tuesday that they had held discussions with the event organizers but that they were not certain the demonstration could go forward safely and that they will file a request for a prohibition with the court.
The participants’ and the community’s overall safety is the top priority, according to the police.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated on Tuesday after Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles on Israel in retaliation for Israel’s air and ground campaign against the Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Tehran. Israel has vowed a “painful response.”
The Palestine Action Group Sydney said on Facebook the move by the police to ban protests was an attack on fundamental democratic rights.
Protests in Melbourne over the weekend saw some displaying flags with the symbol of Hezbollah and photos of leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in Israeli strikes last week, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.
Hezbollah is a “listed terrorist organization” in Australia and it is an offense for any Australian to provide it with financial support or fight in its ranks.
Australia has seen a rise in hate incidents following the Israel-Gaza war and passed laws last year that banned public displays of terror group symbols.
+ There are no comments
Add yours