Thousands protest pariah state of Israel

September 17, 2024

Issue

Thousands protested against Australia's support for Israel's genocide in Gaza. Photo: Peter Boyle

Protesters marked the 49th week of resistance to the latest iteration of Israel’s genocide in Gaza on the weekend of September 14–15.

, United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, said Israel was becoming a “pariah” and slammed the West for supporting its genocidal assault.

“Shockingly, in the face of the abyss reached in [occupied Palestinian territory] … most member states remained inactive at best, or actively aiding and assisting Israel’s criminal conduct,” she said.

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police horses charge protesters outside Land Forces

Police horses charge protesters outside the Land Forces expo in Naarm/Melbourne. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

Western complicity in the genocide was highlighted at protests outside the Land Forces weapons expo in Naarm/Melbourne from September 11–13, where Israeli weapons company Elbit Systems and a host of other arms corporations, military representatives and war profiteers spruiked their latest killing machines.

More than 1500 protesters gathered outside Melbourne’s Exhibition and Convention Centre to Disrupt Land Forces, in protests organised by Palestine solidarity and anti-war groups.

In response, the Victorian Labor government deployed the biggest police operation since the 2000 World Economic Forum meeting when huge protests for economic justice and against wars mobilised against the leaders' meeting.

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Heavily armed police target protesters. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

Police used excessive force, including rubber bullets, pepper spray, flashbangs, riot shields, batons and horses, to intimidate and assault protesters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tried to justify the heavy-handed police response, claiming: “You don’t say you’re opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police.”

His hypocrisy and that of the corporate media's outrage at protesters defending themselves from police at a weapons industry conference was not lost on most.

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'Bubbles against police brutality', Naarm/Melbourne. Photo: Jordan AK

The police violence did not deter supporters of justice for Palestinians from gathering for the 49th consecutive week of protests on September 15 in Naarm, reports Brandon M. Speakers condemned police brutality, highlighting how muhc more militarised the police are becoming.

Mai Saif from Free Palestine Melbourne spoke about the common struggle of First Nations people here and Palestinians under the apartheid regime of Israel. “Every Palestinian knows someone in an Israeli gulag,” she said, referencing the thousands of Palestinians locked up in Israeli jails.

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Naarm/Melbourne. Photo: Jordan AK

Samantha Ratnam, Australian Greens candidate for Wills, pointed to Land Forces as an example of police influence. “The police have more influence in our government than the people do.”

She cited Labor’s blocking of restorative justice policy and new youth justice reforms as more evidence, saying the Greens want an investigation into police violence at the Disrupt Land Forces protests.

Ratnam accused Labor and the establishment of “naval gazing while children are being blown to smithereens”. She also drew attention to the 25/7 refugee encampment for permanent visas in front of the Department of Home Affairs in Docklands.

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Thousands march in Gadigal Country/Sydney. Photo: Peter Boyle

Palestinian activist Assala Sayara told the 49th weekly protest in Gadigal Country/Sydney on September 14 that, 11 months after the genocide in Gaza began, “the image of the illegal state of Israel has crumbled”, reports Peter Boyle.

Pip Hinman, representing the Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition, told the rally that Australia’s hypocrisy on the rule of law was “well and truly shown up”. On the anniversary of the signing of AUKUS, she said that Australia's expanding military alliance with the United States made it complicit in war crimes.

The protesters dealt with a Zionist provocation, staged mid-way on the march, in a peaceful and unified way.

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Gadigal Country/Sydney. Photo: Peter Boyle

The rally was held on the same day as the NSW local government elections, where We Vote for Palestine encouraged voters to support pro-Palestine candidates. The lively march through the CBD stopped at various inter�鶹��ý.

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In Muloobinba/Newcastle, protesters gathered to oppose Israel’s genocide on September 15, reports Niko Leka. Speakers were followed by a performance by the Newcastle People’s Chorus and a march.

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Tharawal/Wollongong. Photo: Indrek Torilo

Hundreds rallied in Tharawal/Wollongong for the cities 46th weekly rally for Gaza on September 14, reports Indrek Torilo.

Speakers said that although the protests have not yet ended the genocide, or Australia’s complicity in it, they have had an impact. “We have to de-normalise decades worth of dehumanisation and occupation before that happens. Until then, we can’t stop.”

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Tharawal/Wollongong. Photo: Indrek Torilo

Mountains for Palestine held its fortnightly rally in Katoomba on September 14 to show solidarity with the people of Palestine, reports Aaisha Slee.

The rally was held on the same day as the NSW local government elections to highlight the tangible actions people can take to end complicity with genocide at the local level.