Amid escalating violence and the deepening humanitarian crises, Palestinians and their allies have once again taken to the streets in a powerful demonstration, demanding an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the West Bank. The protest, held in Hyde Park on March 2nd, was in the wake of mounting casualties and international outcry, underscores the resilience of a people who have endured decades of occupation, displacement and military aggression.
Chanting for justice and waving Palestinian flags, voices echoed a simple yet urgent demand;an end to the bloodshed and the restoration of fundamental rights.
The protest commenced with three powerful speakers addressing the crowd, setting the stage noting “urgent concerns” about Israel’s ongoing expansionist policies. First speaker highlighted Israel’s continued encroachment into Syrian and Lebanese territories, stating, “The illegal occupation doesn’t stop at Palestine. Israel continues its land grabs, violating international law while world leaders remain complicit.” They emphasised that Israel’s colonial ambitions stretch beyond Palestinian borders, further destabilising the region. Another speaker delved into the mass killings perpetrated against Palestinians, describing them as a deliberate act of ethnic cleansing rather than collateral damage. “This is not war; this is genocide,” they declared, pointing to the systematic displacement of Palestinians as part of a broader campaign to erase their presence.
The final speaker addressed the role of Western media in shaping the narrative around the conflict, arguing that “intense propaganda ensures that governments deny Israeli crimes.” They accused the Zionist lobby of deploying sophisticated misinformation tactics to suppress dissent and maintain political support for Israel’s military actions. “The West doesn’t just ignore the crimes; they help justify them,” the speaker stated. “Governments shut down any critique by labelling it antisemitism.”
Protesters did not shy away from criticising global powers, particularly the United States, for their role in supporting Israeli aggression. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s unwavering support for Israel was a focal point of discussion, with activists highlighting how U.S foreign policy enables military operations that lead to Palestinian deaths and displacement. Australia, too, faced scrutiny. While two state governments have voiced opposition to the violence, activists insisted that two- state solution is a false promise.
“There is no two- state solution,” one protester asserted. “There is only one solution: liberation. Not extermination, not apartheid.Equality.” The call for a single, democratic state where Palestinians and Jews have equal rights was met with resounding applause.
The protest also drew attention to the Australian government’s increasing criminalization of pro- Palestinian policies that have been embedded in new “hate speech” laws. The worker had been baited by an Israeli provocateur into making politically charged statements online. Another critical issue raised was the increasing censorship in universities regarding Palestine. Academics and students alike spoke of how institutions suppress discussions on Israeli war crimes, often under the guise of combating antisemitism.
“Universities claim to be bastions of free thought,” said one speaker, “but the moment you criticise Israel, you are silenced, investigated, or even expelled”
A recent case in Australia, widely referenced at the protest, involved an educator who was temporarily suspended from a Western Sydney high school after posting about the crackdown on pro-Palestine protests. His reinstatement came only after public pressure and student demonstrations. This incident was cited as further evidence of how schools and universities serve as instruments of state censorship, discouraging open discussion on Palestine and Israeli actions.
Some Jewish activists in solidarity with Palestine had set up tents near the protest site, carrying banners that read: “Liberation, not extermination.” Their presence was a direct challenge to the false equation of anti- Zionism with antisemitism. As one of them put out, “The problem is not some, but everyone to be free. The problem is you, not antisemitism,” Their statement underscored the fundamental point that the Palestinian struggle is one for justice and equality, not hatred.
Speakers criticised governments for funding military operations while neglecting essential services.
“Billions go to weapons that kill children, but there’s no money for hospitals, no funds for schools,” one protester remarked. “This is not just about Palestine; this is about a global system that prioritizes war over human life.”
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, police were heavily present throughout the march. Protest organizers condemned this as an attempt to intimidate demonstrators.
“We have marched peacefully every time, “one organizer stated. “Yet they send riot police, as if asking for justice is a crime” The presence of law enforcement is part of a broader pattern of suppressing pro- Palestine activism, both in the streets and in public discourse.
As the protest concluded, the march through the CBD resonated with chants for justice, with demonstrators calling for continued resistance until real change is achieved. The event was not just a reaction to the immediate crisis but part of a larger movement demanding lasting freedom for Palestine.
“We will not stop,” one speaker declared as the march returned to Hyde Park. “Until every Palestinian is free, we will keep fighting, Liberation is not an option. It is a necessity.”
