Protesters clash with police at pro-Palestinian rally
Tensions have flared at a pro-Palestine rally where police have used pepper spray in an attempt to control protesters.
Victoria Police deploy pepper spray during a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne,Sunday, June 9, 2024. (AAP Image/James Ross)
Thousands attended the Free Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday, the 35th straight week demonstrators have hit the streets opposing Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
Public order response team members deployed pepper spray after protesters surrounded police outside the State Library of Victoria, having previously detained a man following a march.
It is understood demonstrators then attended a police station on Bourke Street to demand an apology for the use of pepper spray.
At least one flare was lit during the rally, while protesters flew Palestinian flags and held signs with messages including ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Ceasefire Now’.
Greens leader Adam Bandt addressed those gathered before the march, blasting the government for not taking actions to try to put more pressure on Israel to stop its offensive.
Mr Bandt called on the government to recognise the state of Palestine, sanction Israeli officials including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, end any military trading with Israel and expel its ambassador.
“Enough of the hand-wringing tweets, enough of the words that always come with conditions attached … (they are) being ignored by an extreme war cabinet that is hell-bent on continuing this invasion,” he said.
“Actions count, there are things this government could be doing to put pressure on to stop this invasion.”Adam Bandt hit back at claims Greens encouraged attacks on offices, labelling them as “slander”. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
The Greens leader addressed criticism levelled by Australia’s major parties, having been accused of “inflaming tensions” in the community by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley recently said attacks on MP’s offices were “disgraceful” and encouraged by the Greens.
Mr Bandt labelled that allegation as “slander”.
“Let me say this, not for your benefit because you know this already, but for everyone who has been slandering this movement for weeks,” he told the rally.
“We all know there is no place for violence against people, against politicians, against people who work for politicians or inside their offices … what we are pushing for is peace, peace here, and peace in Gaza.”
Similar protests were held at Sydney’s Hyde Park and Brisbane’s King George Square.
Police had no issues to report from the Sydney rally and made no arrests, while Brisbane’s was also peaceful.
Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1200 people and taking more than 200 hostages.
In response, Israel launched air strikes and a ground invasion of Gaza that, according to the local health ministry, has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, injured more than 80,000 and displaced more than 1.7 million.
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