Supporters vow they will keep marching despite ceasefire
Pro-Palestinian protesters have vowed not to pause their march in central Sydney despite the possibility of a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict that would pave the way for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners from Monday.
Rally organizers agreed a route for the march from Hyde Park to Belmore Park, near Central Station, after the NSW supreme court last week blocked protesters from descending on the Opera House forecourt after police warned of potential crowd mixing.
Pro-Palestinian protesters marched from Hyde Park along George Street on Sunday.Credit: Max Mason-Hubers
The march took place before a peace ceremony in Egypt on Monday and the start of the exchange of Israeli hostages remaining in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners.
Palestine Action Group organizer Josh Lees said Sunday’s rally, attended by about 8,000 people, will not be the last because the plan outlined by US President Donald Trump will not result in peace for the people of Gaza, with the hope that it will provide some reprieve for the Palestinians.
“We will definitely be doing more Palestinian shows in the future,” he said.
“[The latest ceasefire is] “It will certainly not bring peace to the Palestinians, let alone life for them, because this is an ongoing occupation plan.”
A small flotilla of yachts and motorboats flying Israeli and Australian flags passed by the Opera House on Sunday.Credit: Edwina Pickle
A 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly carrying a pointed stick at a rally at the intersection of George and Liverpool streets at around 3.20pm. Two people who needed medical assistance at the protest were treated by paramedics.
Before the march, organizer Amal Naser told the crowd gathered in Hyde Park that it was disappointing that the state’s highest court had banned marching to the Opera House. “But that didn’t stop us,” he said, referring to the protesters who showed up on Sunday.
