In Sydney, protests have been held weekly, demanding action from the Australian government regarding the crisis in Gaza and Lebanon. The demonstrations have gained momentum following the ICC arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Each Sunday, people of all ages gather in Sydney to voice their concern over the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Lebanon, marching through the streets. They chant slogans such as "While you're shopping, bombs are dropping", urging Australians to reflect on the devastation overseas.
These protests have garnered significant support for the Palestinian cause, with momentum growing across the country. Following the ICC arrest warrant issued against the Israeli prime minister, protesters are demanding action from the Australian government which is a signatory to the Rome Statute.
Protesters say that Israel's actions constitute a campaign of massacres aimed at seizing more land and establishing regional supremacy.
They argue that the violence is part of a deliberate strategy to forcibly displace Palestinians and erase their identity from their homeland.
Many Jewish Australians also join these weekly demonstrations, firmly disassociating themselves from Zionism.
They emphasize that their support is rooted in a shared commitment to human rights and justice, and reject the idea that the conflict inherently divides Jews and Palestinians.
The Jews who are supporting Israel have become really shamed by this, and they have to make a choice. You know the slogan, which I repeat here is many Jews are saying, 'not in our name.' Well, Jews have to make a choice. You know, there's another slogan, 'silence is complicity'.
Peter Slezak, UNSW University, Sydney
Obviously Netanyahu has no intention of allowing a Palestinian state.
It's been the long standing open, explicit, goal of the Israelis. You know, people pretend that there's some prospect for peace talks and stuff.
It's always been gaslighting. It's been a charade.
You know, if you look at the early founders of Israel, they were quite explicit. They wanted to expropriate the Palestinians. In fact, Ben-Gurion said they're just waiting for an appropriate opportunity, like a war.
Netanyahu has been perfectly explicit he has no intention of having a Palestinian state.
Peter Slezak, UNSW University, Sydney
The global wave of support for the Palestinian cause shows no signs of abating while Israel continues its atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon.
Since October 2023, nearly 50,000 people, men, women and children have been killed in the Israeli strikes with no end in sight to the escalating violence.
The ICC arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, highlights the shift of global conscience, galvanized by the worldwide protests.
The pressing question, however, remains whether justice for the Palestinians will ever be achieved.