NextFin news, Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Australia on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to participate in pro-Palestinian rallies following the recent ceasefire in Gaza. Major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne saw large crowds gathering to call for an end to Israel's occupation and to express doubts about the durability of the ceasefire.
In Sydney, approximately 30,000 protesters marched through the central business district after a court blocked their initial plan to assemble at the Sydney Opera House. The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as "Free Palestine" while marching on closed city streets. Police reported no arrests during the events.
Organiser Amal Naser stated that despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to control Gaza and the West Bank, describing the situation as a system of "apartheid and occupation." Many protesters emphasized that the ceasefire was only a temporary measure and called for a full end to the blockade and accountability for the destruction in Gaza.
Similar rallies were held in Melbourne and other Australian cities, reflecting widespread public engagement with the issue. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry criticized the demonstrations, suggesting that the organisers aimed to undermine the peace deal.
The rallies coincided with pro-Palestinian protests across Europe, including large gatherings in London and Berlin. In London, thousands lined the River Thames waving Palestinian flags and holding signs demanding an end to the blockade and violence. Police reported minor scuffles between protesters and counter-demonstrators carrying Israeli flags.
The ceasefire in Gaza, brokered by the United States under President Donald Trump, began as Israeli troops started to withdraw. The conflict, which erupted after Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli deaths, predominantly civilians, according to official figures.
Many demonstrators in Australia and abroad expressed concern that the ceasefire alone would not resolve the underlying issues. Katrina Scales, a 23-year-old student attending the Sydney rally, said, "I'm here to show that the world is still watching Gaza. A ceasefire is not enough."
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