Shepparton community members have taken a stand against violence perpetrated in the Israel-Hamas war.
On Saturday, October 21, nearly 200 people gathered at Victoria Park Lake, peacefully protesting Israel’s ongoing bombing of Gaza.
The rally was organised by Shepparton’s Dr Hanaa Ahmed and saw people from all different walks of life join in, including passers-by.
This protest comes as Israel continues to launch air strikes on the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip.
These air strikes are in retaliation to Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, which left more than 1400 dead and about 200 people taken hostage.
Since then, Israel has launched multiple air strikes and has, as of Wednesday, October 25, killed over 5791 Palestinians, including 2360 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
As a result, more than 1.4 million people have fled their homes, looking for temporary shelter.
The World Health Organization has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to allow the safe deliveries of aid to affected Palestinians.
Armed with posters and loud voices, the protesters highlighted the innocent lives lost in the conflict and called on the Federal Government to take the following action:
- Condemn the violence being conducted on both sides of the war.
- Uphold standards of international law and hold Israel to these obligations.
- Call for an immediate cessation of the bombing and siege of Gaza.
- Support international efforts to open a humanitarian corridor to allow aid to reach besieged Palestinians.
- Uphold the principles of universal rights for all.