Australian authorities said on Friday they would
deploy more police personnel and tighten security measures ahead of
pro-Palestine rallies in Sydney and Melbourne on Oct. 6, warning protesters
there would be no tolerance of violence.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has triggered protests from
both Jewish and Palestinian groups across the world, including in Australia, as
the government raised concerns that the protests could inflame community
tensions and disrupt social harmony.
In Sydney, the Palestine Action Group has dropped its
plans to hold a rally on Oct. 7, the first anniversary of Hamas staging the
deadliest assault in Israel's history, which sparked Israel's war in Gaza.
The pro-Palestine group will instead proceed with its
rally on Sunday after reaching an agreement with police to change the location
and route, and not display flags, portraits or symbols of prohibited
organisations. It plans to hold a vigil on Monday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he considers Oct.
7 to be a solemn day, adding the majority of Australians would not want to see
conflict in other parts of the world brought to the country.
"(People) who are thinking of other actions on
October 7, think about whether your cause is being advanced or set back,"
Albanese said during a media briefing.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told reporters it
would be "hugely insensitive" to hold a vigil in Sydney on Monday and
warned there will be an "overwhelming police response" if it turned
into a protest rally.
Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic and
Islamophobic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war and passed laws
last year that banned public displays of terror group symbols.
Protests in Melbourne last weekend saw some
participants displaying flags with the symbol of Hezbollah and photos of leader
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in Israeli strikes, prompting
authorities to launch an investigation.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran,
is a "listed terrorist organisation" in Australia.
Victoria state police said they would conduct more
patrols near synagogues in Melbourne over the coming days.
"Patrols will also be bolstered around a planned
community event in Melbourne's southeast on Monday," a Victoria Police
spokesperson said by email.