Tens of thousands of people across Australia marched in solidarity with Palestinians, demanding immediate action to stop what organisers described as Israel’s genocide and starvation campaign in Gaza. More than 40 protests took place nationwide on Sunday, with massive turnouts in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, according to the group Palestine Action. Organisers estimate that over 300,000 people joined the rallies, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free, free Palestine” as they called for sanctions on Israel and an end to arms trade.
In Brisbane, protest organiser Remah Naji told crowds that Australians must demand more than words from politicians. “We are signatories to the Genocide Convention, which means we have an obligation to prevent and punish genocide when it occurs,” she said. Similar calls echoed in Sydney, where organiser Josh Lees said Australians were united to demand sanctions and an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. In Melbourne, demonstrators rallied outside the State Library Victoria, chanting “Sanction Israel now,” while organiser Nour Salman insisted that Australia’s move to recognise Palestinian statehood must be matched with tougher measures against Israel.
In Perth, Friends of Palestine Western Australia organiser Nick Everett accused the government of hypocrisy, saying, “Our government cannot claim to support human rights while continuing to arm an apartheid regime.” Across the country, unions, civil society, and grassroots communities joined the protests, insisting that “Palestine can’t wait.”
The demonstrations coincided with a grim warning from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which officially declared famine in Gaza City. According to the IPC, over half a million people in Gaza — nearly a quarter of the population — are experiencing catastrophic hunger, with many at risk of dying from malnutrition. Protesters across Australia and beyond highlighted the humanitarian crisis, as Israeli bombardments and blockades have displaced nearly two million people.
Protests were not confined to Australia; mass rallies also erupted worldwide, including in Malaysia, Senegal, Belgium, Kenya, and the United Kingdom. In Kuala Lumpur, thousands gathered in response to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call to form activist groups to deliver aid to Gaza. In Nairobi, hundreds of bikers joined a solidarity rally chanting “Free Palestine,” while in Dakar, demonstrators demanded unrestricted humanitarian access to famine-hit Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 62,263 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, including thousands of children and families caught in relentless airstrikes and famine conditions. Rights groups and international courts have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for war crimes.
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