Planned Harbour Bridge Gaza protest sparks backlash

A planned pro-Palestinian protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday has drawn significant opposition.

NSW Police are considering legal action to prevent the event. The Palestine Action Group organised the ‘March for Humanity’ to highlight the alleged deliberate starvation of civilians in Gaza. Protesters are calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to join the rally. This call comes after his recent statement that Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza breach international law.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has rejected the protest proposal for the Harbour Bridge. He cited public safety concerns and insufficient preparation time. “The NSW Government cannot support a protest of this scale and nature taking place on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, especially with one week’s notice,” Mr Minns said. He emphasised the Bridge’s critical infrastructure status and the potential for “significant inconvenience but real public safety concerns.” Mr Minns added, “We cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos,” and has vowed to fight the march plans.

NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman supported Mr Minns’ decision, calling it “absolutely the right call.” He stated that while he understood “sincere and passionate views,” there were “plenty of other ways you can protest, including public protests.”

The proposed protest has also raised significant concern within the Jewish community.

Alex Ryvchin, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, strongly criticised the proposed march, citing growing public frustration and past protest behaviour.

“These protesters have inconvenienced Australians for 22 months and now they seek to paralyse our city and stop Sydneysiders from getting to their weekend sports, visiting family and friends and enjoying our great city,” he said. “Australians are sick of the cost, the disruptions and the extremism that come from these protests. This is the time to enforce our laws and ensure our city is open to everyone.”

He added, “These protesters disgraced our country at the Opera House and dealt a blow to Australian decency from which we’re still reeling. The Premier is right to stop them from sullying another Australian icon. A regular feature of these protests around the country has been death chants and praise for terrorist leaders, which has served to incite hatred, fracture our society and endanger fellow Australians.”

In a surprising turn, independent MLC Mark Latham voiced support for the protest. He views it as a “March for Free Speech.” He stated on X (formerly Twitter), “From the start, I said people should not bring their Middle Eastern grievances to Australia.”

He added, “But, after Chris Minns sucked up to the powerful Jewish lobby and legislated under false pretences (Dural caravan) to stop protests, this march is in large part a March for Free Speech.”

Despite police statements, the Palestine Action Group disputed claims they were in talks with police about the event. “NSW Police are NOT in any discussions with us, we are yet to be contacted by them or the Premier’s office,” they stated.

Greens MLC Sue Higginson confirmed that Greens MPs have endorsed the event, stating, “We’ll do everything we can to protect this protest from Labor Premier Chris Minns and any attempts by the NSW Police Force to stop it. Now is the time for action.”

Weekly pro-Palestinian protests have been a regular occurrence in Sydney and other Australian cities since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, invasion by Hamas. The event marks almost two years of these protests, which regularly feature antisemitic chants, signs and banners supporting proscribed terrorist groups.

As discussions continue, it remains uncertain whether the protest will proceed on the Bridge or be relocated. A court ruling may ultimately determine its fate in the coming days.