Palestinian flags and solidarity signs filled Sydney Road on October 28 residents lined the street outside the office of Peter Khalil, Labor MP for Wills, for another community speak out initiated by as Merri-bek councillors Sue Bolton and Monica Harte.
The crowd condemned Khalil鈥檚 endorsement of Labor鈥檚 support for聽Israel鈥檚 massacre of more than 7000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7.
鈥淧eter Khalil you can鈥檛 hide; you鈥檙e supporting genocide鈥 was the main chant alongside a stream of horns and cheers from motorists.
Leila Allouche, Victorian Arabic Social Services CEO, spoke about the Gazans鈥 deprivation and condemned the hollowness of Israel鈥檚 justification for its military鈥檚 brutality. 鈥淧eople in Gaza do not have food, water, electricity, internet or phones to contact anybody.鈥
James Crafti and Pier Moro, Australian Services Union (ASU) members, stressed the importance of union solidarity and emphasised the need for displaced Palestinians to have the right of return.
A motion to endorse a ceasefire, end the blockade and occupation of Gaza and end Australia鈥檚 military assistance of Israel will be put to the ASU.
Bolton said she and Harte would be organising actions outside Khalil鈥檚 office until there is a ceasefire. 鈥淲e want concrete action, not platitudes.
鈥淓ven if the bombing stops tomorrow, we want the siege lifted and supplies of food, water, electricity, fuel and construction materials brought into Gaza.鈥
[ is organising at 12pm at the Victoria State Library.]