The City of Canterbury-Bankstown in Sydney’s southwest will fly the Palestinian flag at two locations until a “cease fire” is declared in the Hamas-run Gaza.
Councillor Karl Saleh, representing the Australian Labor Party, moved a motion “supporting peace in Gaza and Palestine” on Oct. 24.
The local government voted to fly the Palestinian flag at the Campsie administration building and a local community park in Bankstown—an area with a higher proportion of Middle-Eastern migrants.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Council also voted to dedicate a space at a local park for the community to lay wreaths and flowers.
Not the ‘Australia We knew’
Responding to the move, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) said “this is not the Australia we knew.”Meanwhile, Randwick Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has canned plans to fly the Palestinian flag on top of its Town Hall.
“I consider the business to be of great urgency given the current war in Israel and the escalating rallying within Australia by pro-Palestinian people,” Cr. Rosenfeld said.
Sydney Responds to Israel-Hamas Conflict
The latest drama at multiple Sydney councils follows pro-Palestine rallies held in front of the Opera House in early October.A flag of Israel was stomped on in front of the iconic Opera House and protestors were heard yelling “gas the Jews.”
In response to this event, NSW Police launched Operation Shelter to manage future protests amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
When questioned on whether he was “picking sides” the prime minister said, “We pick a side against Hamas.
“And we did that very clearly and unequivocally. Because the actions of Hamas are against the interests of both the Israeli population, clearly, but also against the interest of Palestinians.
“We support, as President Biden reaffirmed the United States, a support for a two-state solution.”