THE pro-Palestine rallies across Australia have attracted thousands of supporters, with 10,000 people gathered in Sydney alone earlier today.
The police previously said that they would deploy up to 850 police officers across the city in response to the planned protests.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb made it clear that they would only be focusing their attention on those who wished to “cause trouble,” amid concerns that groups using hate speech will hijack the event.
Meanwhile, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said that the state government respects the right of the people to protest but warned the police will display zero tolerance for hate speech.
It can be remembered that around 1,000 pro-Palestinian supporters marched in front of the Sydney Opera House last week after the iconic landmark lit up to the colors of blue and white to show support for Israel which happened days after Hamas launched the deadly surprise attack.
Some of the protesters threw flares, burned Israeli flags, and chanted anti-Israel speech which earned condemnation from national leaders including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Three people have been arrested following the incident.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the recent explosion at a crowded hospital in Gaza which reportedly killed hundreds of people, as Israel and Hamas traded blame for the deadly strike.
