Flotilla protests hit Sydney streets
AUSTRALIAN cities became marching grounds for anti-Israel rallies this week in response to the Israeli navy's raid on a flotilla attempting to break the Gaza blockade.
IN Sydney, more than 4000 demonstrators descended on the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday evening for a hurriedly organised demonstration.
Spearheaded by Australians for Palestine, dozens of other groups were represented at the rally, including the Socialist Alliance, the Maritime Union of Australia, Green Left Weekly, the Greens, and a myriad Arab and Muslim community groups, including a very significant Turkish presence.
Protesters held anti-Israel banners, reading “Boycott the Israeli apartheid regime”, “Israeli terrorists — day of reckoning is near”, “Stop Israeli murder and piracy” and “Israel is the terror state”.
One Jewish protester held a sign reading “Not in My Name” written in both Hebrew and English.
Controversial Sydney Sheikh Tajeddin al-Hilaly was among the speakers who condemned Israel. Leading the chant “down down Israel, down down Jewish State”, he held a Turkish flag, and shouted “Turkey is coming, Iran is ready”.
Other speakers included Sydney Peace Foundation director Stuart Rees, former NSW Liberal attorney-general John Dowd, and a NSW Greens MP.
Warned by police not to attend the protest, Betar members in Sydney opted to hold a vigil outside the Turkish consulate in Woollahra. They held signs with slogans such as “Enough support for terrorism” and “Floating guerrillas not a peace flotilla”.
“It was a spontaneous protest in support of Israel and against the lies being spread about Israel’s intentions,” Betar’s Ari Briggs said.
BENJAMIN HOLZMAN
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