Thousands came out across Australia on May 13 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Al Nakba (the catastrophe) in 1948, when Zionist terrorist gangs began to carry out massacres, ethnic cleansing and the seizure of Palestinian land to create the state of Israel.
Palestinians and supporters held signs and chanted against Israeli apartheid, for an end to the murderous raids on the West Bank, to defend the right of return, to stop illegal settlements on Palestinian land and to lift the siege on Gaza.
Jacob Andrewartha reports from Naarm/Melbourne the protest on May 13 marched from the State Library to Parliament House. It was organised by Free Palestine Melbourne and endorsed by Palestine Community Association, Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network, BDS Australia, Casey Friends of Palestine and Loud Jew Collective.
Renfrey Clarke reports from Tarndanya/Adelaide that around 150 members and supporters of the local Palestinian community gathered on the steps of Parliament House on May 13. After hearing speakers from the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, the demonstrators marched through the city to the Migration Museum.
Alex Bainbridge reports that "Hands off Al Aqsa" was one of the messages at the rally in Meanjin/Brisbane. Activists tied their hands and lay on the road to express solidarity with worshippers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque, who were subjected to similar oppression in recent days by the enforcers of Israeli Apartheid.
Palestinians told personal stories about the importance of remembering the towns and villages that existed in Palestine before the ethnic cleansing that marked the 1948 Nakba ("catastrophe") began.
Alex Salmon reports that supporters of the Palestinian community rallied in Boorloo/Perth in the protest which was organised by Friends of Palestine WA. They chanted: 'Free Palestine — No peace without return' and 'Break ties with Israel — Arms embargo now'!
Peter Boyle reports that hundreds rallied and marched in Sydney, Gadigal land. The protest was organised by Palestine Action Group Sydney and Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine.
