A radical group calling itself Stand for Palestine Australia has announced plans to hold a “Glory to Our Martyrs” rally on October 7 — the second anniversary of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attacks against Israel. The event, set to take place in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown, has drawn bipartisan outrage across Australia for glorifying terrorism on the anniversary of one of the darkest days in modern Jewish history.
New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns condemned the rally, calling it “terrible timing” and “shockingly insensitive.” In a Tuesday radio interview, Minns said, “We understand there is concern about innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, but to do it on the 7th seems like they are glorifying the actions of Hamas terrorists.”
Despite the outrage, organizers appear unrepentant. Palestinian activist lawyer Ramia Abdo Sultan released a video accusing Australia of “disregarding thousands of Palestinians that have died,” defending the rally’s timing as deliberate.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the demonstrations but offered only mild disapproval, warning that such events could “undermine public sympathy” for the Palestinian cause. His government recently recognized a “Palestinian state,” a move that has emboldened pro-Hamas activists across the country.
The backlash intensified after pro-Hamas graffiti appeared in Melbourne, with slogans including “Glory to Hamas,” “Glory to the Martyrs,” and “Oct. 7, Do It Again.” Albanese denounced the vandalism as “abhorrent,” promising that federal and state police would investigate.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel expressed disbelief that the Australian government would tolerate such displays, calling the rally “terrorist propaganda” on the anniversary of “the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.”
Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, a prominent Jewish leader, accused the Albanese government of turning a blind eye to antisemitism. “We have Australians openly supporting terrorism on Melbourne’s streets. These extremists do it because they are allowed to get away with it,” Frydenberg said. “Stop the violence. Stop the hate. Save our country from this descent into darkness.”
Authorities in Sydney are also working to prevent a similar protest at the iconic Sydney Opera House, where pro-Hamas demonstrators infamously celebrated the October 7, 2023, attacks. Police have moved to block the Palestine Action Group (PAG) from holding a rally there this Sunday. Premier Minns backed the decision, citing safety and security concerns, noting the area’s limited capacity for large crowds.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies warned that the new wave of rallies is stirring fear among Australia’s Jewish community. However, PAG organizer Damian Ridgwell vowed to fight in court for the right to demonstrate, calling Israel’s military campaign “genocide” and insisting their protest will be “peaceful and safe.”
