Faisal Mahmud
07 October 2026•Update: 07 October 2026
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Australian cities Wednesday, a day before the third anniversary of the start of Israel’s war on Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, as Muslim groups called on Canberra to impose sanctions and a two-way arms embargo on Israel.
About 70 activists gathered outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne for a day-long vigil, the Melbourne-based Herald Sun reported.
Palestinian flags were displayed across the library grounds. A cutout depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding a sign reading “Genocide Criminal” was also displayed.
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The court lists him as at large.
On the library steps, demonstrators spread a large Palestinian flag alongside photographs and other displays, while a banner read: “We shall remain, we shall rebuild.”
The vigil began as scheduled and was due to continue until 6 pm local time (0700GMT), with organizers calling on participants to peacefully mourn Palestinians killed in Gaza.
The Herald Sun reported brief verbal confrontations during the gathering, with organizers urging demonstrators not to engage. Additional police officers were deployed after counter-protesters arrived.
In Sydney, a separate pro-Palestinian vigil was scheduled at Town Hall on Wednesday evening, while another gathering was planned in Wollongong, Australian public broadcaster ABC reported. Further pro-Palestinian rallies are scheduled across Australia on Sunday.
The Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM) and Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), in a statement shared on US social media company X, said three years of Israeli attacks had brought “killing, destruction, displacement, starvation and immense suffering” to Palestinians.
The groups called on the Australian government to impose “meaningful sanctions” on Israel and “a comprehensive two-way arms embargo” and ensure that Australia does not contribute, “directly or indirectly, to violations of international law.”
They also called for unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and support for rebuilding civilian infrastructure.
The demand comes amid scrutiny of defense ties between Australia and Israel. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defense industry cooperation in 2017, while annual strategic defense talks began in 2018, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Australia also participates in the global supply chain for F-35 fighter jets operated by Israel, with more than 70 Australian companies having contributed components to the program. The Australian government, however, maintains that it does not directly supply weapons or ammunition to Israel.
The Muslim groups said Australia’s recognition of the State of Palestine in September 2025 was an important step but should be followed by concrete political and diplomatic action.
Since October 2023, Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed more than 74,200 Palestinians and injured over 175,200 others, according to Palestinian figures.