- The Guardian
- Issue #2078
On Saturday 4 November 2023, CPA members in Newcastle NSW joined the major cities around Australia and the world in taking to the streets to call for an end to the genocide in Palestine. The rally, organised by Palestine Action Group Newcastle, brought over 2000 people out onto the streets, the first major action for Palestine in Newcastle since 7 October 2023.
The attendees marched through one of the main streets of Newcastle and concluded at the Newcastle Train Sheds for speeches. A Welcome to Country was conducted by a local elder who spoke about the shared struggles of Indigenous people across the world and the need for solidarity between Palestinian and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Local Palestinian families spoke to the crowd about the struggle in Palestine, and the ongoing atrocities that their loved ones are facing; indiscriminate bombings that had already taken thousands of civilian lives, and restrictions on access to clean drinking water, food, and medical care. They called for an immediate ceasefire, the establishment of a humanitarian corridor, the return of Palestinian land, and an end to genocide.
The rally was supported by trade unionists in the Hunter region, who endorsed support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. A call to action was made for the blockade of an Israeli ship arriving in Port Botany on 11 November 2023. A Greens representative spoke about the attempts being made in the Australian Parliament to support a ceasefire and stem the flow of weapons trade to Israel from Australia.
The rally was an important action in the growing support for the Palestinian cause around Australia, with further rallies to come. Communist Party of Australia members based in Newcastle and surrounds will continue to support and build the movement for the liberation of Palestine.
