“Tonight, as we gather here in safety; let us remember what this ceasefire means,” he said. “It is not the end, it is merely a pause, a first step in a long journey toward true liberation and self-determination for Palestine.”
The crowd in Coburg North on Sunday.Credit: Penny Stephens
Under the first phase of the agreed deal, fighting is to pause in Gaza and dozens of hostages held by Hamas are to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hours before yesterday’s delay, pro-Palestinian protesters vowed to continue their Sunday rallies in Melbourne’s CBD even with a ceasefire, prompting renewed calls from the state government and business lobby for the weekly marches to end after 15 months.
Palestinian activist Mai Saif said the ceasefire would not bring her peace, nor would it bring relief to the tens of thousands of people killed in the war.
Demonstrators march towards Parliament House during the weekly pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne on Sunday.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
“It doesn’t give relief to every single home that’s been destroyed, every memory, essence, the society, the culture, history, our heritage, our lands, our trees,” Saif said. “They want us to cheer and celebrate – for what? They want us to celebrate and say thank you. We are not thankful.”
At one point on Sunday, a man wearing Israel’s flag as a cape approached the back of the crowd during speeches at the State Library. After declining to leave the public space, he was encircled by protesters.
Police watched closely, but tempers remained calm and the group eventually dispersed.
A man wearing Israel’s flag as a cape at the rally.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Police estimated about 500 protesters attended, and said no incidents were reported. Several attendees wore red caps, in a reference to US President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, that read: “Make Israel Palestine again.”
The crowd repeatedly chanted on the march to parliament: “All Zionists are terrorists.”
Earlier on Sunday, Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Philip Zajac said he was frustrated that protesters planned to continue “disruptive and offensive demonstrations through Melbourne’s CBD” regardless of the ceasefire agreement.
In a message to community members, Zajac said the council would continue to push the state government, City of Melbourne and Victoria Police to “reclaim the city from these troublemakers”.
He said the community would sleep easier once all hostages were freed. “Until then, the hostages and their families remain in our prayers.”
Acting Premier Ben Carroll said he was hopeful the protests could come to an end.
“Everyone does have a right to a peaceful protest,” Carroll said on Sunday. “Protesting in Melbourne is not going to change outcomes overseas. It’s important that we realise we have a CBD that we need to support … and I would hope that we can see a step-down from those protests.”
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief executive Chanelle Pearson said the protests were discouraging people from going into the city and hurting small businesses in particular.
“Enough is enough,” Pearson said. “Traders are enjoying the swell of tennis fans attending the Australian Open – we don’t want anything to damage our reputation with visitors. The protests continue to have a negative impact.”
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Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said it was important the protests continued.
“A ceasefire is not liberation. Palestinians deserve liberation, like everyone else,” Mashni said.
Rallies have been a regular event in Melbourne’s CBD every Sunday since Israel launched a devastating offensive in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1200 people.
More than 250 people were also taken hostage, nearly 100 of whom remained in captivity in Gaza 15 months later – though it is uncertain who has survived.
Israel’s response has since killed more than 46,000 people in Gaza, more than half of whom were women and children, according to Gazan health officials.
The ceasefire will pause fighting in populated areas of Gaza, allowing people to return to what’s left of their homes and allow for a surge of aid to flow. Under the first phase, 33 hostages are to be released over six weeks in exchange for 737 Palestinian prisoners.
David Southwick, the Liberal MP for Caulfield and opposition police spokesman, said on Sunday that the Jewish community would keep fighting for justice.
“We will not rest until every hostage is brought home,” he said.
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