Protests erupted in Melbourne as pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on the last day of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, following earlier protests in Canberra and clashes in Sydney.
On the final day of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, large gatherings of pro-Palestinian protesters took place in Melbourne after similar demonstrations in Canberra and violent clashes with police in Sydney. Demonstrators expressed their outrage over the ongoing situation in Gaza and the implications of Israel's policies on the Palestinian population.
In Melbourne, a significant turnout was reported, with many protesters adorned in traditional Palestinian scarves and waving flags. The protests were fueled by calls for urgent attention to the plight of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, where destruction has been reported. The demonstrations were also marked by vandalism at the University of Melbourne, where pro-Palestinian graffiti was seen, reinforcing the tensions surrounding the Israeli President's visit.
Participants, including 69-year-old Neville Steer and 20-year-old Ilia Fukins, voiced their concerns for the Palestinian people and their discontent with Herzog's role in perceived atrocities against Gaza. With expectations of upwards of 5,000 demonstrators, the police braced for a significant turnout, highlighting the growing movement against Israeli state actions and its broader implications for Australia-Israel relations and global solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
