Sydney:

Thousands of people took part in a pro-Palestine march in Australia’s largest city, Sydney, on Saturday, with last-minute approval given at the last minute amid concerns after some protesters chanted anti-Semitic slogans at a previous rally.

Protesters around the world demanded an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza on Friday after nearly two weeks of intense air and artillery attacks that authorities say have killed 4,100 people in the narrow strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Friday to “fight until victory” in Gaza, signaled no pause in his military’s bombardment and expected to follow up Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,400 people in Israel. were involved and seized hostages.

Organizer Palestine Action Group said about 15,000 people attended Saturday’s march in Sydney, Australia’s largest city, with protesters chanting “Palestine will never die” and waving Palestinian flags. Police, including officers on horseback, patrolled the area during the incident, which closed city streets and a police helicopter circled overhead.

Also read: Thousands marched for Palestine

Protester Barbara O’Neill described the Palestinians as “my brothers and sisters”, saying, “They are suffering genocide very publicly and in a very high-profile way.”

Rally attendee James McGlone said that people “have a right to know what is happening to Palestinians… If they knew what the State of Israel has done and is continuing to do, they would Will support Palestine.”

A protester who gave her name only as Doaa said: “I’m here because this is a humanitarian cause first and foremost. And I’m supporting humanity in every way, you know.”

Reading: Palestinian supporters protest, pray around the world as Israel war intensifies

But Alex Rivchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Australia’s peak Jewish community group, said Saturday’s Sydney rally had “incited further hatred in Australia” and fractured “fragile social cohesion”.

The heated debate was sparked after a small group was filmed chanting “Gas the Jews” at a rally outside the Sydney Opera House two days after the Hamas attack.

Pro-Palestine rallies were also scheduled for Saturday in the state capitals Brisbane, Perth and Hobart, the Palestine Action Group said, following thousands of people attending mass well-behaved rallies in Australia last weekend.