Mass rally in Hyde Park
On 13 September, thousands of people gathered in Sydney’s Hyde Park for a large rally in solidarity with Palestine. Participants called on the Australian government to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Israel and take concrete measures in response to events in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
The rally brought together students, workers, trade union activists, doctors, teachers, cultural figures and families with children. Organisers stressed that the solidarity movement is uniting a growing number of people regardless of age, profession or background.
Call to restrict trade with illegal settlements
One of the main demands was for Australia to join measures targeting illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The United Kingdom and 11 other countries had previously announced plans to restrict trade with these territories.
The Australian government said it was considering targeted measures but was not prepared to introduce a full import ban. Rally participants urged the authorities to adopt a more consistent position and support statements about international law with practical action.
Representatives of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network said that states should not support a situation recognised as illegal by international institutions through trade and investment.
Remembering Zomi Frankcom
Participants also demanded accountability for the death of Australian humanitarian worker Zomi Frankcom. She worked for World Central Kitchen and was killed in April 2024 alongside six colleagues in a strike on a humanitarian convoy in the Gaza Strip.
Activists said the investigation into her death must lead to practical consequences and that those responsible must be held accountable.
A growing public movement
Speakers at the rally stressed that solidarity with civilians and the defence of humanitarian workers must not become grounds for persecuting activists.
The Sydney rally formed part of an international public movement calling for an end to violence, respect for international law and a transition from political statements to genuine peace-building action.