Pro-Palestine and Israel demonstrations break out in Sydney and Melbourne as Richard Marles warns: ‘Jewish Australians have never felt safer’

Tens of thousands of people took part in rival rallies in support of Palestine and Israel in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday, as Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “Jewish Australians have never felt more safe.”

In Melbourne, more than 50,000 pro-Palestinian protesters brought the city center to a standstill in one of the largest demonstrations since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict following Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel.

As they marched to the State Library, many chanted “Out, out, Israel out” and “Free, free Palestine.”

In Sydney, thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters flooded the CBD to protest in Hyde Park.

Earlier on Sunday, a crowd of about 5,000 people gathered at Moore Park in Sydney’s east to free Jewish hostages kidnapped on October 7.

The ‘Set them free rally’ involves family members of hostages who have not yet been heard from.

The ‘solidarity vigil’ was held in honor of the victims from Israel and more than forty other countries whose nationals were ‘killed, injured or held hostage by Hamas’.

“We are together, one people, with one mission and one destiny,” said Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

“And we stand here today, together with our fellow Australians, with clarity in our minds and hope in our hearts.

“Hope for the speedy and complete victory of the heroic forces of the IDF, may they be blessed.

‘Hope for the safe rescue of every hostage. Hope for the complete destruction of Hamas and hope for an era of peace for the land of Israel.”

Among the participants at the pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne was Palestinian-Australian businessman Hash Tayeh, who renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“When I called for peace and a ceasefire in recent weeks… my company became a target,” he said.

‘Our store was reduced to ashes due to a cruel arson. To those who tried to silence us, I say you will not succeed.”

The Caulfield branch of Tayeh’s Burgertory restaurant in Melbourne’s south-east burned down around 4am on Friday.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Mr Marles condemned the protests in Caulfield, where pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups faced off on Friday.

Pro-Palestinian protesters (pictured) held a rally in Sydney’s Port Botany on Saturday

The clash led to the evacuation of a nearby synagogue, for which protest organizers have apologized.

He said people in Australia deserve the right to feel safe and denounced anti-Semitism.

“This demonstration on behalf of Palestine in the heart of the Jewish community was unacceptable.

“Right now, Jewish Australians have never felt more safe, and this is a real problem and we need to take action to fix it.”

More to come…