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Police and protesters faced off outside the Sydney International Convention Center as Palestinian supporters attempted to blockade a defense fair as Defense Minister Richard Marles hailed the “beautiful, menacing and utterly cool” military equipment on display at the event.
Protesters waving Palestinian flags chanted “Stop bombing Israel”. One protester held a sign with Marles’ name and red handprints symbolizing the blood on his hands.
The NSW government has described the Indo-Pacific 2025 International Maritime Expo as “a powerful forum for key decision-makers, government representatives, defense officials and military procurement managers”.
The Palestine Action Group described the fair as “an arms fair for war criminals” and accused the government of downplaying its role in the event.
“We’re here to peacefully protest the war criminals’ convention on evil weapons,” group organizer Josh Lees told Nine News.
A pro-Palestinian protest outside the Indo-Pacific Defense Naval Expo at the ICC in Sydney this morning.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
NSW Police said an operation was ongoing and four people were arrested. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
Lees said there were “thousands of police officers” at the scene.
“They need to arrest the people inside.”
NSW Police said an operation was ongoing and four people were arrested.
Some protesters managed to enter the car park, and about 200 people gathered in nearby Tumbalong Park to express their support for Palestine.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government was sponsoring the event to explore increasing export opportunities “as we move away from coal extraction and exports”.
“Defence industries, particularly the maritime sector, are responsible for a huge part of our economy ($3.4 billion last year),” he told ABC Radio Sydney.
“We have about 50 companies that we want to sell to the rest of the world,” Minns said.
