October 1st 2024.
Police in Sydney are taking legal action to prevent two planned pro-Palestine protests from taking place this weekend, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the war in Gaza. This move comes as the Australian Federal Police investigates potential crimes related to the presence of Hezbollah flags at previous protests in both Sydney and Melbourne.
The organizers of these upcoming rallies had already advised participants to refrain from bringing any flags, but after discussions with the police today, they were informed that the protests would be opposed. In a statement released tonight, the police explained that they are not satisfied with the safety measures put in place by the organizers and have therefore decided to seek a court order to prohibit the assemblies.
While the NSW Police Force supports the rights of individuals and groups to voice their opinions and gather peacefully, their top priority is ensuring the safety of all participants and the wider community. The Palestine Action Group, which has been organizing peaceful weekly rallies for almost a year, has condemned the police's actions as an attack on fundamental democratic rights. A spokesperson for the group, Amal Naser, stated that they will continue to stand for justice for Palestine and Lebanon and will defend their right to protest.
The appearance of Hezbollah flags at previous protests has caused confusion among both police and politicians. Two flags were seized in Sydney, and Victoria Police reported seeing six "prohibited flags" representing Hezbollah being carried by a small group not affiliated with the organizers. However, there were no immediate arrests made. The Australian government, along with other allies such as the US, UK, Canada, and Japan, consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
Displaying the symbol of a terrorist group can result in up to a year in prison, but the federal law only specifies certain situations where it is considered illegal, such as using the flag to spread hate or incite violence. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has called on authorities in Victoria and NSW to check the visa status of any protesters who may have glorified Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli air strike on Friday. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also condemned the glorification of a terrorist organization and compared Nasrallah to infamous figures such as Adolf Hitler and Osama bin Laden.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack that resulted in the deaths of 1200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 others. Since then, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, with more than half of the victims being women and children. In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on October 8, leading to almost daily exchanges of fire between the two sides. While they have come close to full-scale war multiple times, both sides have managed to avoid it.
In recent weeks, Israel has shifted its focus from Hamas to Hezbollah, increasing its attacks on the militant group in Lebanon. With Associated Press.
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