New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has expressed “horror” at a pro-Palestine rally that took place outside the Sydney Opera House last night.
The iconic Australian landmark was strikingly lit up blue and white on Monday night to show solidarity for Israel.
But hundreds of people showed up at the Opera House in support of Hamas and were seen on camera chanting, burning, and stomping on the Israel flag.
Videos have also emerged of men chanting “[Expletive] the Jews” and “Gas the Jews” outside the Sydney Opera House.
Mr. Minns said the protest was the “wrong thing to do” given the mass murder and kidnapping that has taken place in Israel.
At least 1,500 people, including innocent Israeli civilians, have been killed since the Iran-based terrorist group Hamas instigated an attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday.
This led to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaiming “we are at war.”
Hamas has threatened to “start executing Israeli hostages” if civilian houses are bombed.
Hamas was listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia in March 2022.
A Show of Solidarity
Mr. Minns is among a wide range of politicians who have condemned the protest in the media on Tuesday morning.
“I was, I think, horrified by the protest, and I think it was the wrong thing to do given the indiscriminate slaughter of people in Israel over the last 48 hours,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
“There was mass murder, and there was kidnapping on a massive scale, and I think the vast majority of people in NSW and Australia have solidarity and sympathy with what’s happened in Israel and are concerned about people who have been taken hostage and are being held in Gaza.”
The Jewish community had been told to stay away from the Opera House while the rally was taking place.
Mr. Minns said he can understand why Jewish community members would be be upset, adding that the city “cannot have a situation where members of the Jewish community can’t participate.”
“We lit up the Opera House specifically to show solidarity with the Jewish community, and it’s a great shame that they weren’t able to commemorate solemnly with their community last night,” he said.
“I know discussions are taking place this morning between the Government, police and the NSW Jewish community to ensure that those of Jewish heritage can enjoy their city, where they were born, where they are raising their family, where they are a member of the community.”
Bipartisan Condemnation
Liberal Senator James Paterson, who shared a link to the images, said it “shocking to see these scenes in an Australian city.”
“We have a serious problem if Australians think this is an appropriate way to behave. The organisers of last nights rally must unequivocally condemn this behaviour,” Mr. Paterson wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke also shared footage of protestors at the Opera House on X and blamed it on a “total failure of political leadership from the NSW Government.”
“It is unacceptable to see people seeking to wave a flag in favour of Israel arrested, whilst a mob chanting racist abuse, threatening racial violence towards other Australians are protected by same police. An indictment on NSW State and Federal Governments, needs urgent action,” Mr. Hawke said.
The NSW Govt announced it would light the Opera House to support Israel. The NSW Govt then tells people it is unsafe to travel there to see lights or fly Israeli flag. Govt then takes no action against the racial based threats & abuse on steps of the Opera House they lit up 1/2
— Alex Hawke MP (@AlexHawkeMP) October 9, 2023
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also asked for his reaction to the “celebration” at the Opera House.
Mr. Albanese said “there is nothing to celebrate from the loss of innocent lives.”
“I always have been sympathetic to a two-state solution in the Middle East, one where people from Israel and Palestine can live in security and safety. You can have that position,” he said on 5AA Adelaide.
“But I think that the events on the weekend deserve unequivocal condemnation.”
Mr. Albanese said he is getting daily briefings from appropriate agencies and the Foreign Affairs and Trade department are working 24-hours to keep on top of the conflict in the Middle East.
‘Disgusting,’ Says Ontario Premier
Similar rallies were also held in Canada. On Oct. 9, a large crowd of pro-Palestine protestors gathered in downtown Toronto and marched on the streets without a permit, blocking traffic.
Supporters of Palestinie started parade around the Nathan Phillips Square without permit. https://t.co/Xjapkp75CN
— Andrew Chen (@AndrewChen55) October 9, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the celebrations “disgusting.”
“The hate rallies celebrating the kidnapping and slaughtering of innocent Israeli people by terrorists are reprehensible and disgusting. They have no place in Ontario. Now more than ever, we stand with Israel and affirm its right to defend itself and its people,” Mr. Ford wrote on X.
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