A recent protest in Sydney, attracting over 100,000 participants, has underscored heightened public concern regarding Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. The demonstration daubed through the Central Business District (CBD) and culminated with an intimidating procession across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. It acknowledges a larger tsunami of public opinion that is surging against what many consider to be heinous human rights violations.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has more bad news. Even more dangerous than its new records for the number of journalists killed in this ongoing conflict is the fact that at least 225 Palestinian journalists have been killed. This deeply concerning figure is a stark reflection of the dangerous reality for members of the press in war zones, where doing their job can prove fatal. One of those killed was Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh, who worked for Al Jazeera. His death has brought attention to the extreme dangers that journalists are facing as they cover the crisis.
Israel’s military operations in the Gaza strip have already killed over 60,000 Gazans. A large proportion of these deaths are civilian. According to these estimates, about 40% of those killed were women and children, underscoring how the most defenseless members of society were targeted in many of these cases. In addition, tens of thousands others have incurred life-altering injuries — frequently without timely access to such lifesaving emergency medical care or needed surgical relief.
Critics claim that Israel has deployed cutting-edge autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence to help target their strikes. Their failure has led to what many describe as preventable civilian deaths. In addition, humanitarian conditions in Gaza have already worsened drastically, as Israel has reportedly prevented food and humanitarian aid from entering. This unjustified blockade has resulted in extreme levels of starvation and malnutrition across the entire population.
The atmosphere surrounding discussions on Israel’s actions has been characterized by a “growing climate of fear and intimidation” within Australian arts, media, and academic circles. Retreating from a chokehold on dissent in this country, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has pushed through controversial strengthened protest laws. A recent Sunday incident, involving former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas, shone a light on these laws that are often ignored. Reportedly she was attacked while protesting in defense of Black Lives. Today, she is at risk of permanently losing sight in her one remaining eye as a result of the attack.
Public opinion has turned against these lavish handouts, and frustration is mounting. Yet Australia has not sanctioned Israel or supported an arms embargo against Israel. As governmental inaction continues amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, protests organized by the public have erupted nationally over the government’s failure to act. Groups like Readers Against Genocide have organized demonstrations for over twenty-one months, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among participants. Participants often describe these meetings as feeling like a “secular church” or “group therapy.” They make room for grief and galvanization together.
The recent Sydney protest is part of a larger trend across Australia, where citizens have increasingly rallied against perceived injustices in Gaza. The enormous turnout of the Sydney event reflects a growing turnaround of public sentiment towards the conflict. As concerns grow over Israel’s military tactics, including the alleged targeting of civilians and journalists alike, more Australians are choosing to make their voices heard through peaceful protest.