As the United Nations Human Rights Office reported on December 20 it had received information alleging more atrocities by Israeli Defense Forces in Al Remal neighbourhood, Gaza City, thousands of people in Australia continue to mobilise for a permanent ceasefire.
A Merri-bek and Northern Suburbs protest drew more than 200 people on December 23 to add pressure on Peter Khalil MP. It was the seventh such protest.
The group marched to his electorate office to demand he sign an MP-initiated statement demanding a permanent ceasefire, to recognise Palestine and for a just and lasting peace. More than 250 current and former MPs have signed.
“Although Mr Khalil has explicitly said the loss of innocent Palestinian lives is unacceptable, and that the protection of civilian lives is paramount, his signature was noticeably absent,” said Daniela Marqeuz from Mums for Palestine.
Palestinian-Australian Tanya Abo-Shaban, who has lost several family members, delivered a message from Abu Muhammad, a Palestinian man in Khan Yunis who described the dire situation. “The world has only seen 1% of the truth of what is happening in Gaza, because the situation is a disaster. The situation is tragic.”
Abo-Shaban spoke of hope. “Palestinians are resilient and we will continue to resist the occupation from every corner of the earth. We will continue to be their voices and to fight for their rights and an end to this genocide.”
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Mums for Palestine led the march, bringing the focus to the children in Palestine.
“A heart breaking new term has emerged in Gaza. Wounded child, no surviving family,” Marquez said. “Weight loss and anaemia are common and there are alarming rates of acute malnutrition in children under five with a significant rise in mortality rates.”
Bedour, a student, said: “I can easily access three meals a day filled with warmth and nutrition. I can play with my friends, watch movies, buy toys, and get an education. These are all things that all children should have access to, yet they don't in Palestine.”
Halima Ahmad, who has been campaigning to pressure Hume and Darebin Councils to support a ceasefire motion, reported on the United Nations’ reporting that one child is being killed every 10 minutes.
“We are asking for [parliament] to call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege. Australia must give the Palestinians the priority they deserve.”
A primary school teacher voiced her struggle with the Department of Education’s demand for educators to stay “silent” and “neutral” in the classroom when so many of her students are aware of Israel’s atrocities and yearn for support.
She said parents should approach school faculty leaders and ask them what they are doing to approach the matter in the classroom. “They’re your children; you have a right; you need to speak up.”
Jacob Andrewartha from Socialist Alliance said the West’s political and military support for Israel directly contributes to Palestinians’ oppression. “Israel is really only able to get away with its war crimes because of this support. Our movement needs to become so big that we can force our government to abandon those links.”
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As the rally closed, protesters chanted for Palestine alongside a motorcade from Fawkner Cemetery down Sydney Road to Parliament House.
Meanwhile, Peter Boyle reports that the thousands who turned out to a protest in Gadi/Sydney on December 23 were told “Christmas is cancelled in Gaza this year”.
After hearing moving speeches and performances at Hyde Park, the crowd of up to 10,000 people marched to Belmore Park. It was the 11th week of these huge protests and another is scheduled for December 30, starting at Hyde Park North at 1pm.
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Alex Bainbridge reports that 500 people joined a sit-in in the Queens Street Mall in Meanjin/Brisbane on December 23. Their message was: “All I want for Christmas is a ceasefire!”
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Activists held the space for around two hours, with speakers and music receiving good support from passers-by. A Palestinian flag was flown from the upper level of a nearby venue.
Police did not move the protest on even though a sit-in violates the law prohibiting political demonstrations in the mall area.
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Jonathan Strauss reports that about 50 people turned out to support a health worker vigil in cyclone-affected Cairns/Gimuy on December 22.
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Meanwhile, protesters descended on Sydney Town Hall as PM Anthony Albanese delivered a Lowy Institute lecture on December 19. “Albanese, blood on your hands,” they chanted for several hours. It was reported that the protesters could be heard inside.