Perth Voice Interactive

ABOUT 100 people followed up last Saturday’s pro-Palestine rally with a march on the WA office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Perth on Wednesday.

The Friends of Palestine and supporters carried a list of the names of the 3300 Palestinian children who have reportedly been killed by Israeli shelling in the four-week conflict, representing them with small shrouded figures lined up on the ground.

FoP spokesperson Vashti Fox said the snap rally was in direct response to the Australian government abstaining from a UN resolution calling for a truce in Gaza.

“We need to force our government to do something about the genocide unfolding in front of us,” Ms Fox said. 

“While Palestinian families are being murdered Anthony Albanese is swanning around the United States.”

Last Saturday (October 28) 5000 people gathered at the Supreme Court in Perth and marched through Murray Street.

Palestinian born Ayman Qwaider, whose family were killed in an airstrike in Gaza last weekend delivered a gut-wrenching speech pleading to the audience for the violence to stop. 

Federal Perth Labor MP Patrick Gorman stuck to the party line in not calling for a ceasefire, but said all Australian mourned the loss of life.

“I unequivocally condemn the attacks on Israel by Hamas, and my heart breaks for those who have had loved ones cruelly taken from them.

“Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and undermines their legitimate aspirations.

“Innocent Palestinian civilians should not suffer because of the outrages perpetrated by Hamas.

“Our government notes the humanitarian situation in Gaza and mourns for those who have lost their lives and for those who are suffering.”

He called on the people of Perth to commit to building a strong, inclusive community for all, rejecting all anti-semitic and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks. 

Early last month a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney attracted controversy for alleged anti-semitic slogans and chants. 

Prime minister Anthony Albanese said at the time he didn’t believe the rally should go ahead.

But FoP spokesperson Erin Russell told the Voice that with the situation escalating in Gaza there had been growing protests around the world and they hadn’t experienced any pushback about the Perth gatherings.

by AVIA FRANKHAM and MARLENE TANNENBERGER