Anti-Israel protesters breach roof of Australia’s Parliament, unfurl banners

Anti-Israel protesters have climbed the roof of Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra and unfurled banners, accusing Israel of war crimes, TV footage shows, in a serious security breach condemned by lawmakers.

Footage shows four people dressed in dark clothes on the roof of the building, unfurling black banners including one reading, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a common refrain that critics say is a call for the elimination of Israel.

The banners also include a red triangle, the symbol used by Hamas to mark targets.

Meanwhile in Canberra watch these protestors on the parliament room #Auspol pic.twitter.com/l9Pbgrl4qh

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One of the protesters begins a speech using a megaphone accusing the Israeli government of war crimes, an accusation Jerusalem firmly rejects.

“We will not forget, we will not forgive and we will continue to resist,” the protester says.

A handful of police and security have advised people not to walk directly under the protest at the main entrance to the building, a Reuters witness says.

The protesters later pack up their banners before being led away by waiting police.

“This is a serious breach of the Parliament’s security,” opposition Home Affairs spokesperson James Paterson says in a post on social media platform X.

“The building was modified at great expense to prevent incursions like this. An investigation is required.”