Tensions reached a boiling point Thursday in Australia’s capital as pro-Palestine activists took to the roof of the country’s Parliament House to protest their political slogans that include free Palestine.
The demonstration was performed by the Renegade Activists group at a time when an internal division was observed within Australia’s Labour party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, on the matter of recognizing the Palestinian state. Only several days before that, the government expelled a Muslim senator who disobeyed the majority and voted for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The demonstrators wore dark clothes and attached big black and white posters to the facade of the popular building with such phrases as “No peace on stolen land. ” One of the activists yelled through a loudspeaker, saying that Australia supports Israel in committing war crimes.
The protest has come against the backdrop of increased support for Palestinians in Australia, given the escalated violence in the Gaza strip, where another round of violence started in October last year and has to date claimed over 1,200 lives.
Although the Australian government did not surrender to the calls to recognize the state of Palestine, the minister of foreign affairs, Penny Wong, suggested the option could be considered.
The opposition members of parliament immediately criticized the attack for violating security measures and demanded an inquiry.
