The first major Melbourne rally since the Bondi massacre saw a prominent leader of Australia's Palestinian movement make bold statements, sparking controversy. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, addressed the crowd, criticizing figures who linked pro-Palestine protests to the terror attack and labeling their actions 'racist' and 'shameful'. He also expressed disappointment in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's establishment of a royal commission into antisemitism, arguing it creates a 'hierarchy of hate'.
Mashni's rhetoric was strong, stating, 'We can close a city... We can shut down a city, a bridge, a town, wherever it might be, because we are the people.' He directed a 'f--- you' at South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who supported the Adelaide Festival's decision to remove Palestinian author Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah from the Adelaide Writers' Week due to 'cultural sensitivity' concerns. Mashni labeled this move 'shameful'.
The rally focused on protesting Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit, which Albanese invited to show support for Jewish Australians after the Bondi attack. Mashni, however, labeled the invitation an antisemitic gesture, conflating Australian Jews with the Israeli state. Herzog's visit is controversial as he was named in a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, with his statements cited as evidence of genocidal intent.
The Free Palestine movement's attempts to decouple Zionism from Judaism were also discussed. Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, argued that Zionism is the right to a Jewish homeland, similar to Greek or Ukrainian Australians' pride in their heritage. Ohad Kozminsky, a Jewish Council of Australia executive member, disagreed, stating there's no choice between supporting Palestine and Jewish people.
The rally included chants like 'Death to the IDF' and 'All Zionists are terrorists', with Aghion noting the NSW government's plans to declare such chants illegal. Victoria Police reported no issues or arrests during the event. Albanese's office declined to comment, referring to a previous statement welcoming Herzog to Australia.
