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Thousands gather in city centres in show of solidarity for Gaza and Lebanon, amid increased violence in Middle East

Thousands have collectively rallied in cities and towns around Australia, calling for a ceasefire to conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon.

The protests were organised as part of a “National Day of Action for Gaza” by pro-Palestine groups around the country.

It comes following continued Israeli strikes into Lebanon over the past week which killed much of Hezbollah’s senior leadership, including leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, where authorities say more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the current Israeli offensive.

That war began after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israeli settlements on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s recent bombardment on Lebanon has killed around 1,200 Lebanese and displaced around half a million, according to the Lebanese government.

Thousands crowded outside Sydney Town Hall on Sunday, waving flags and chanting in support for both the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Lebanon.

Some carried signs with photos of Nasrallah, with many mourning the death of the longtime militia leader.

This Sunday saw one of the strongest turnouts in recent months, with members of the Sydney Lebanese community joining the rally in protest of recent Israeli air strikes on the capital, Beirut.

A line of police held peaceful attendees back to avoid overcrowding the city square, causing demonstrators to spill out on one of Sydney’s busiest streets.

Nasser Mashni is the president of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, which helped coordinate the protests across the country.

He said the community had felt a “continued hurt” over the past few days after an escalation of violence in the region.

“We’re not sure why our children, our women, our men don’t matter, why the government won’t speak up in our favour and demand that Israel stops,” Mr Mashni said.

“It’s past time for diplomatic levers to be pulled.”

Protester Liz Ralph said she was “just horrified” by the events in Gaza and Lebanon, and felt powerless to help.

“I feel like there’s not a lot that I can do from Australia, but I can show up to a protest like this and show some solidarity,” Ms Ralph said.

Hezbollah flags appear in Sydney and Melbourne

While the majority of protesters across Australia brought Lebanese and Palestinian flags to the protests, flags representing Hezbollah were also seen at the rallies.

The yellow flag depicts a green arm reaching up towards an assault rifle.

Their appearance was sharply criticised by Shadow Minister for Home Affairs James Paterson in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he said authorities should clamp down on those displaying the flag.

Hezbollah, along with Hamas, is considered a terrorist organisation by the governments of Australia, the US and the UK along with the EU.

Under the criminal code, the public display of prohibited terrorist organisation symbols is an offence in some circumstances, including if the display is likely to offend, humiliate or insult “a member of a group of persons distinguished by race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion or national or social origin”.

The penalty under the legislation is 12 months of imprisonment.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the flag’s appearance would draw the “immediate attention” of security agencies.

“Any indication of support for a terrorist organisation is unequivocally condemned,” Mr Burke said.

Islamic Council of Victoria president Adel Salman said anyone waving Hezbollah flags were “a minority” and did not represent the majority of protesters.

“I’m not surprised that people would come out with various flags, whether it be Hezbollah or other flags, but I think that’s a distraction,” Mr Salman said.

“I think the vast majority of the Muslim community in Victoria and around Australia are supporting Lebanese people.”

Former Labor senator shows support at Perth rally

About 300 people gathered in Perth’s city centre as part of the national day of action, calling on Australia to do more to end the violence in Gaza.

Chants of “free free Palestine” echoed around Perth’s Forrest Place from the small but enthusiastic crowd, with many displaying banners and Palestinian flags.

A host of groups were represented by banners within the crowd, including Students for Palestine, Jews for a Free Palestine, Academics for Palestine, as well as various climate action groups.

The crowd called for Australia to condemn Israel’s role in the violence in Gaza, and to cut ties with the Israeli government.

There were also calls for Australia to follow other nations in formally recognising the State of Palestine.

WA senator Fatima Payman, who quit the Labor party in July over her stance on Gaza, also attended the rally.

Hobart demonstrators line CBD road in protest

In Hobart, a crowd of roughly 200 people made their voices heard along a busy stretch of road in the CBD, to mark the day of action.

Tasmanian Palestine Advocacy Network (TPAN) co-president Nadia Refaei said it was gratifying to see the size of the crowd.

“We’ve been turning out every week to demand a ceasefire and free Palestine, and it’s especially important I think for all of us to be out here today because of the escalation in Lebanon as well,” Ms Refaei said.

“We’re aware that it’s nearly a year in and everyone’s feeling really tired and emotionally exhausted, so it’s hard to predict how the momentum is going to carry itself. But really pleased with the turnout.”

Her words were echoed by TPAN public officer Caitlin Shaheen, who said it was about more than one day.

“We exist not just on Saturday or Sunday when we turn up here,” Ms Shaheen said.

“The people here, and the testament to the community, is that they live this every single day and they’ve lived it with us for 12 months.”

Further protests in Canberra, Adelaide and along NSW coast

Around 300 protesters gathered in Canberra’s Garema Place before a march through the city as part of the National Day of Action for Gaza.

Speakers included the ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury and members of the local Palestinian community.

The group called for a ceasefire, sanctions on Israel by the Australian government and more coverage in the media of the issue.

Hundreds of protesters also joined together on the steps of South Australia’s parliament in Adelaide.

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young spoke at the protest and demanded the Australian government end the two-way arms trade with Israel.

She called on the government to sanction the Israeli war cabinet and recognise a Palestinian state.

“For over 12 months Australians have been watching in horror at the unnecessary suffering and the brutality that has unfolded on innocent people, including children, in Gaza,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

“Australia needs to step up, speak up and do more. Hand-wringing and words are not enough anymore. Use the power the Australian government has.”

Protests also took place on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, where dozens gathered at Port Macquarie’s Town Green.

Protester Mahan Khan practices Islam but said it should not matter whether someone is religious or not to support Palestine and Lebanon.

“I don’t think you have to be Muslim to care about what’s happening in Gaza, you just have to be human,” Ms Khan said.

“It’s atrocious, the children, having a son of my own I couldn’t imagine losing him the way parents in Gaza and Lebanon are losing their children.”

Coalition sticks to UN resolution on Hezbollah

Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said the Coalition would not support calls for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel until Hezbollah was removed from the border region, consistent with the United Nations resolution on the matter.

But she accused Senator Wong of using her address to the United Nations, where she warned nations not to allow Lebanon to become “the next Gaza”, as an opportunity to play domestic politics.

“We either uphold international law or we don’t … we can’t pick and choose which bits we want depending on what’s happening in Western Sydney,” Senator McKenzie said.

“She is trashing our decades-long bipartisan approach to a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East.

“We need to maintain a responsible and respectful position in this. We shouldn’t be changing just because domestic politics changes here at home.”