For Shamikh Badra, a resident of Sydney who left Gaza behind, participating in the massive pro-Palestinian march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge was an act of solidarity. The demonstration, held on a rainy Sunday, drew an unexpectedly large crowd of over 100,000 people, according to authorities, all calling for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“We as Palestinians are not alone … We appreciate these efforts that support Palestine,” Badra expressed to ABC News, reflecting on the overwhelming turnout. A PhD candidate in history and resistance, Badra has personally suffered the loss of family members in the conflict. “My mother is still stuck in Gaza and my father was killed due to a lack of medicine and food. My brother and his family disappeared … they’re under the rubble,” he shared, urging the Australian government to intervene.
The protest, known as the March for Humanity, has sparked political debate in Australia and captured international attention, with headlines appearing in Israel, the UK, and the United States. While the International Court of Justice has not confirmed allegations of genocide, and Israel denies claims of mass starvation, the protest has intensified discussions on Australia’s stance regarding the conflict.
Political Reactions and International Criticism
The protest’s scale exceeded organizers’ expectations, drawing criticism from Israeli officials. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar took to social media to condemn the demonstration, highlighting an image of a protester holding a photo of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The distorted alliance between the radical Left and fundamentalist Islam is sadly dragging the West toward the sidelines of history,” Sa’ar commented.
In Australia, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite acknowledged the protest’s peaceful nature but criticized the display of Khamenei’s image as “provocative.” “Australians have the right to protest and, as long as you do it peacefully and in accordance with the law, which is what occurred on the weekend, then every Australian has the right to protest,” Thistlethwaite told Sky News.
Meanwhile, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s co-chair, Alex Ryvchin, condemned the march, stating, “Our national landmarks are there to bring Australians together. This march did not do that.” Ryvchin emphasized the need for genuine concern for all affected by the conflict, including those held against their will in Gaza.
A Wake-Up Call for Australian Politics
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the march as a peaceful opportunity for Australians to express their concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He reiterated his support for a two-state solution and emphasized Australia’s sovereignty in making its own decisions, despite potential complications with international relations.
Federal Labor MP Ed Husic, who attended the march, highlighted the strong community sentiment regarding the humanitarian crisis. “It was a tremendous example of peaceful assembly,” Husic said on ABC Radio National. “I think this is a moment, sort of wake-up call for Australian politics.”
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek echoed the sentiment, stating, “Too many people have lost their lives, and we want to see the hostages returned, we want to see humanitarian access to Gaza, we particularly don’t want to see children starving to death as a result of this conflict.”
Balancing Public Safety and the Right to Protest
Despite the protest’s peaceful conclusion, NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed concerns about public safety. “There’s no doubt there was a massive community demonstration,” Minns said, acknowledging the significant turnout despite opposing the bridge march initially. “Ultimately, my job is to be on the side of public safety and ensuring that people can live and work and protest and enjoy a city as big as Sydney.”
As the debate continues, the protest serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between public sentiment, international relations, and government policy. The massive turnout on Sydney Harbour Bridge underscores the depth of feeling within the community and the ongoing global concern over the situation in Gaza.
