Massive anti-Israel protests swept across Australia on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in 40 cities, with organizers claiming 350,000 participants amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Jerusalem and Canberra.
Signs reading "Israel kills children" were carried at the Melbourne demonstration, while protesters chanted "Israel is a terrorist state." In Sydney, demonstrators arrived with Lebanese flags and baby dolls covered in blood, shouting "occupation is a crime, Israel get out of Palestine" and "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free."
Protest organizers in the city of Geelong used the term "IsraHELL" instead of Israel in their publicity materials, calling on demonstrators to bring flags and keffiyehs for a "river to sea" march that began at a nearby river and ended at the ocean.
They claimed approximately 350,000 people participated across 40 cities throughout Australia, including 50,000 in Brisbane alone. Police estimated the number of participants in Brisbane at only 10,000, creating a discrepancy that casts doubt on organizer figures. Melbourne held its 97th consecutive protest against Israel since October 7, with the march stretching from the Parliament building to City Hall. Among participants were medical teams in uniforms carrying signs reading "Gaza health workers, you are not alone," as well as teachers marching under banners from their schools.
The demonstrations take place against the backdrop of a sharp diplomatic crisis between Israel and Australia. This week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a scathing letter to his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, accusing him of failing in the fight against rising antisemitism in the country. "Since you publicly announced your call to recognize a Palestinian state, you are pouring oil on the antisemitic fire," Netanyahu wrote, claiming the move "rewards Hamas terrorism." The prime minister detailed antisemitic incidents, including synagogue arsons and community building vandalism, demanding Albanese take action before the New Year. The Australian government recently recognized a Palestinian state, following similar moves by Britain, France, and Canada.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the umbrella organization for Australian Jews, told Sky News that "when you have people calling for death, holding signs of terror leaders, this is an unsafe environment that should not exist on our streets." According to him, while 400,000 Israelis demonstrate for peace and hostage release, "you won't hear the word peace in these protests across Australia."
Ryvchin warned that the protests "drain social capital in the country, pit community against community," claiming innocent participants "are being manipulated - they come to a movement that is not what is presented to them." He noted that organizers "seek to destroy Israel" and already organized protests on October 7 itself, viewing it as "humiliation for Israel and cause for celebration" and that "these people enjoy war as long as they feel Israel is losing."
In Brisbane, the court banned organizers from marching on the city's central bridge for safety reasons, and organizers marched on an alternative route with participation from the Greens party leader and additional party members, and other party officials. In Melbourne, a Greens councilor joined the protest, despite the council voting this week to petition the government to limit weekly protests.
