SYDNEY, August 24 — Across cities big and small, thousands of Australians gathered today, not just to protest, but to stand in deep, emotional solidarity with the Palestinian people. What began as scattered voices has now become a powerful national outcry for justice, dignity, and peace.
From the heart of Sydney to the streets of Brisbane and Melbourne, over 40 demonstrations were held, drawing crowds that organizers say totalled around 350,000 people nationwide. Even in the rain and cold, families, students, elders, and activists held up Palestinian flags and banners, their chants of “Free, Free Palestine” echoing through city blocks.
“This isn’t just a political issue. This is about humanity,” said Josh Lees, one of the rally’s organisers in Sydney. “People are tired of watching innocent lives being lost in Gaza. We’re demanding our government take meaningful action, including sanctions against Israel.”
Many in the crowd were visibly emotional—parents holding children, survivors of past conflicts, and young people driven by moral conviction. Some wore keffiyehs; others carried signs reading “End the Genocide”, “Human Rights for All”, and “Recognise Palestine Now.”
The massive show of support comes on the heels of a controversial but historic decision by Australia’s centre-left Labor government to recognise Palestinian statehood, a move that has triggered backlash from the Israeli government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified his criticism of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while diplomatic ties between the two countries have grown increasingly tense.
Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin expressed concern about the rallies, calling them “unsafe” in a televised interview. But many rallygoers stressed the importance of peaceful protest and inclusivity, rejecting any form of hate.
The Australian government’s decision mirrors similar steps taken by France, the UK, and Canada—nations responding to the mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 60,000 lives have been lost, according to Palestinian authorities. Aid organisations warn that starvation is now widespread, with food, medicine, and clean water in critically short supply.
Just weeks ago, tens of thousands walked across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, calling for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid access. That momentum has only grown stronger.
For many Australians, today was more than a protest. It was a moral call to action, a declaration that silence is no longer an option.
