Tens of thousands of people turned out last Sunday at Hyde Park, Gadigal Land, to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Israeli troops continue their full scale ground and air assault across the southern Occupied Palestinian Territory,
Speakers condemned Israel, the international community and Australian politicians for not moving to bring the war to an immediate end. Speakers included MCs Assala Sayara and Josh Lee from the Palestinian Action Group, Sally Asfour from Palestinian Christians in Australia, Greens senator, Mehreen Faruqi and author Randa Abdel-Fattah. Welcome to Country was performed by Dharug man, Uncle Colin.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed since the invasion of Gaza, with more than 4,000 of those children. That toll represents an equivalent to one out of every 200 Gazans killed to date in the last month. Around 200 hostages are still being held by Hamas after its raid into Israel last month which saw around 1,200 Israelis killed. This situation follows years of increasing tension and repression across Gaza and the West Bank.
The rally moved from Hyde Park through the CBD and then back to Hyde Park. Similar sized rallies have been held every weekend for the last five weeks. Organisers have vowed to continue protesting in coming weeks.
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