Tens of thousands in Australia rally against Israel, claiming ceasefire a sham

Australian organizers says 30,000 people are packing central Sydney to protest against Israel, with some expressing skepticism that a ceasefire in Gaza will hold.

The demonstration is one of 27 being held across Australia,  according to the Palestine Action Group, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators continue to rally against Israel despite the ostensible end of the war and partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

An anti-Israel protest is also held in Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta.

“Even if the ceasefire holds, Israel is still conducting a military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank,” Amal Naser, an organizer of the Sydney rally, says in a statement. “The occupation as well as systemic discrimination against Palestinians living in Israel constitute an Apartheid system.”

Australian Broadcasting Corp footage shows protesters, many carrying Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyeh scarves, marching on closed city streets. Some hold pictures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a faux Hitler mustache, under the words “Child killer.”

Police say there have been no arrests.

“Israel always breaks every ceasefire they’ve ever done,” says protester Abbi Jordan. “For 78 years, they’ve been conducting an illegal occupation in Palestinian territories, and we demand the Australian government sanction Israel.”

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for more than 200 Jewish organizations, condemns the protest organizers.

“They want the deal to fail, which would mean the war would continue,” co-chief executive Peter Wertheim says in a statement.