Source : the age
Pro-Palestinian protesters have vowed to continue the rallies in Melbourne’s CBD, hours before a phased ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was set to come into effect, prompting renewed calls from the state government and business lobby for the weekly marches to end.
After 15 months of rallies, hundreds of people again gathered at the State Library on Sunday wearing keffiyeh scarves and using watermelon imagery as a symbol of Palestinian resistance, calling for boycotts, sanctions and liberation.
Demonstrators march towards Parliament House during a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne on Sunday.Credit: Luis Ascui
Palestinian activist Mai Saif said the ceasefire deal – due to take effect at 5.30pm on Sunday (AEDT) – did not bring her peace, nor did it bring relief to the tens of thousands of people killed in the war.
Under the deal, fighting in the Gaza Strip would pause, while dozens of hostages held by Hamas would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
“It doesn’t give relief to every single home that’s been destroyed, every memory, essence, the society, the culture, history, our heritage, our lands, our trees,” Saif said.
“They want us to cheer and celebrate – for what? They want us to celebrate and say thank you. We are not thankful.”
A man wearing Israel’s flag as a cape at the rally.Credit: Luis Ascui
At one point on Sunday, a man wearing Israel’s flag as a cape approached the back of the crowd during speeches at the State Library. After declining to leave the public space, he was encircled by protesters.
Police officers watched closely, but tempers remained calm and the group eventually dispersed.
Victoria Police estimated about 500 protesters attended on Sunday and said there were no incidents reported
Several attendees wore red caps, in a reference to US President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, that read: “Make Israel Palestine again.”
The crowd repeatedly chanted on the march to parliament: “All Zionists are terrorists.”
Earlier on Sunday, Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said he was frustrated that the protesters planned to continue “disruptive and offensive demonstrations through Melbourne’s CBD even after the implementation of a negotiated agreement between Israel and Hamas”.
In a message to community members, Zajac said the council would continue to push the state government, City of Melbourne and Victoria Police to “reclaim the city from these troublemakers”.
He said the community would sleep easier once all hostages were freed. “Until then, the hostages and their families remain in our prayers.”
Acting Premier Ben Carroll said the ceasefire was a positive step and that he was hopeful the protests could come to an end.
“Everyone does have a right to a peaceful protest,” Carroll said on Sunday.
“Protesting in Melbourne is not going to change outcomes overseas. It’s important that we realise we have a CBD that we need to support … and I would hope that we can see a step-down from those protests.”
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief executive Chanelle Pearson said the protests were discouraging people from coming into the city, and hurting small businesses in particular.
“Enough is enough,” Pearson said. “Traders are enjoying the swell of tennis fans attending the Australian Open – we don’t want anything to damage our reputation with visitors. The protests continue to have a negative impact.”
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni told The Age that it was important the protests continued.
“A ceasefire is not liberation. Palestinians deserve liberation, like everyone else,” Mashni said on Sunday.
Protester Zara – who asked that her surname not be used — said she wanted justice for Palestine.
She said she would only stop protesting once there was genuine peace, including for those in the occupied West Bank.
“Is Palestine really free after today’s ceasefire?” Zara said. “Politicians are not doing anything, leaders are not doing anything.”
Rallies have been a mainstay of Melbourne’s CBD every Sunday since Israel launched a devastating offensive in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1200 people. More than 250 people were taken hostage, nearly 100 of whom remain in captivity 15 months later – though it is uncertain who has survived.
Israel’s response has since killed more than 46,000 people in Gaza, more than half of whom were women and children, according to local health officials.
The agreed ceasefire will pause fighting in populated areas of Gaza, allowing people to return to what’s left of their homes and for a surge of aid to flow.
Under the first phase of the ceasefire, 33 hostages will be released over six weeks in exchange for 737 Palestinian prisoners.
David Southwick, the Liberal MP for Caulfield and opposition police spokesman, said on Sunday the Jewish community would keep fighting for justice, dignity and freedom.
“We will not rest until every hostage is brought home,” he said.
Hash Tayeh, the Palestinian owner of the Burgertory chain, was celebrating the ceasefire at his Olive Tree Bakery in Coburg North on Sunday night with food and entertainment.
“The world cannot turn away now. This is a time to celebrate our survival, mourn our losses, and to prepare for the work ahead,” Tayeh said in a statement.
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