Sydney, December 11 (RHC)-- Demonstrators in Sydney have gathered in large numbers at the city's central district, raising their voices in unison to demand justice for Gaza. Undeterred by the elements, come rain or shine, they have been calling for urgent international attention since October 2023.
One organizer of the protest told the crowd: "How many more need to die? How many more children must be maimed in the struggle? How many more need to lose their parents, siblings and family? Because this is not just their fight. It is our fight. It is a fight for justice, equality and humanity. We do not just stand against the occupation. We stand against the principle that some lives are worth more than others.
Australia has shifted its stance, backing the UN resolution that urges Israel to end its unlawful presence in Palestinian territories The text is based around an advisory opinion from the ICJ calling Israel’s occupation since 1967 “unlawful.”
While activists welcome the move, they argue it's an election ploy, unless Australia imposes sanctions and severs ties with Israel.
The resolution saw 157 nations in favor, with eight opposed.
One protest organizer, Damian Ridgewell with the Palestine Action Group, said: "It is very clear what they're doing. They're very cynical. They know that there's an election coming up. They know that many seats that they rely on to hold government have very large Arab and Muslim populations. They know that there's massive opposition to their policy on the genocide in Gaza, and they think now that making some cynical, tokenistic gesture in the United Nations might be able to save their skins in the next election."
Protesters say justice must be served to end the bloodshed. They pointed out that since October 2023, not a single Sunday has passed without protesters filling Sydney's streets. Week after week, demonstrators are reminding the world of its moral obligation to act and bring an end to what they call Israel's apartheid regime.
This unwavering commitment by the people in Australia for the people of Gaza stands as a powerful testament to the enduring hope in humanity's capacity for justice and compassion.
