The march that nearly wasn't: Sydney Harbour Bridge transformed into a symbol of solidarity against genocide
As Australian pro-Israel lobby haters have a meltdown
Summary
3 Aug 2025 is a huge milestone in the pro-Palestine movement in Australia with a massive march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge after the NSW Supreme Court overruled an earlier ban. The article looks at:
The marchers and speakers
The police confusion
The media coverage - finally
Reflection on the day
Haters - deflecting trolls
Appendices - falsifications (and corrections), media reports, pro-Israel lobby response, and more
Shortcut: Jump past contents to start reading main body of the article:👉 CLICK HERE
First published: 3 Aug 2025
Updated: 8 Aug 2025 (see version history)
March for Humanity 3 Aug 2025
Short video of scenes from the day.
Contents - Main Sections
Main body (from 2. The marchers) - the march itself, speakers, media and my reflections
Epilogue: The biggest faux pas - added after: a PR disaster that unfortunately this march will be remembered for by the right-wing media..
Appendix A: The haters - those hypocritically criticising the march - and factual, referenced responses (good back up reference - as with all Sleekit articles - for trolls)
Appendix B: Sky News Shortcut Section - the odd “bad egg” that is either stupid, misguided, inappropriate or occasionally actually antisemitic. Regardless - this is the one grain out of 90,000+ people that will be picked up on in the right-wing edit. Good to be aware.
Appendix C: Negative Media Reports on the march - selection of negative headlines and reports after the march.
Appendix D: Positive media reports on the march - selection of positive headlines reflecting the reality
Appendix E: Pro-Israel Lobby - Salient posts - Salient members / organisations of the pro-Israel lobby and their selective posts and generalisations regarding the marches
Appendix F: Experiences of a Jewish protestor: an eloquent post from a Jewish protestor sharing her experiences
Contents
APPENDICES
1. Introduction
3 Aug 2025 is a huge milestone in the pro-Palestine movement in Australia after the NSW Supreme Court overturned a ban on a march across Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The ban was put in place by NSW Premier Chris Minns with a poor set of excuses for why the march could not take place.
On appeal a NSW Supreme Court Justice Rigg was having none of it - appreciating the genuine urgency of the humanitarian situation warranting the extraordinary march.
The march proceeded.
This is what happened - and no-one gave a shit about the rain.
2. The marchers
Some big hitters attending today to underscore the gravity of the situation in terms of public figures and groups.
2.1 Star quality
The big hitter was Julian Assange in a clearly unannounced appearance - though he did have a natty Trumpian red tie on.
2.2 Politicians
2.2.1 Labor
5 Labor MPs attended the march today including Anthony D’Adam of NSW Labor Friends of Palestine.
D’Adam was sacked from his Parliamentary role early 2024 by NSW Premier Chris Minns for speaking out on Palestine - showing his bias.
The NSW Premier also shouted down one of his own MPs in Parliament in later 2023 when the MP suggested that rather than rush through law changes, they should await completion of the police investigation into whether “gas the jews” was said at the Opera House.
And we know what happened there.
Bob Carr was in attendance with former MP Ed Husic, Senator Tony Sheldon, Alison Byrnes MP.
2.2.2 The Greens
Mehreen Faruqi Sue Higginson and David Shoebridge were all in attendance today. The most demonised party by both Labor and Liberal over the last 22 months vindicated in the end here.
Former Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon:
David Shoebridge summing up:
2.3 Journalists
Journalist Antoinette Lattouf - flush from winning her case for unfair dismissal from the ABC after a campaign from an influential group of pro-Israel lawyers who knew the senior management of the ABC.
Journo Jan Fran - who has teamed up with Lattouf for an amazing Podcast “We used to be Journos” now ETTE Media.
Anthony Lowenstein - speaking on Al Jazeera later:
Mary Kostakidis
Michael West (Michael West Media)
2.4 Jewish Bloc
The Jewish bloc were out in force.
If you want to see what real antisemitism looks like - look at some of the comments on the social media posts these images are taken from (link in captions).
The Chair of AIJAC (and generational figurehead of the Australian Pro-Israel lobby) Mark Leibler made the most awful post against Jewish people supporting Gaza earlier in the year. He only issued a weak legalese apology on threat of legal action, after discussion bringing along a KC with him, and four months later. Nice.
Jewish Council of Australia - calling out the Government’s empty words
Jews Against the Occupation ‘48:
Oz Jews say No
Happily Made Village/Veronica & Crew:
A touching FB post from Veronica/Happily made village accompanying her post below that I’ve put into the Appendix 😊 (Appendix F: Experiences of a Jewish protestor)
Sydney Friends of Standing Together:
Standing Together is a liberal Israeli organisation that is pro-Palestinian rights, undertakes actions such as escorting Palestinians in the West Bank so they aren’t attacked by settlers and have been marching through Tel Aviv in support of the Gazans. They advocate for a just peace and two-state solution between moderate Israelis with constitutional changes for true equality (to what extent tbc) and Palestinians.
I attended their launch event in Sydney last year and it was quite … explosive with hidden Palestinian protestors at the front who jumped up and began shouting. They were actually given a mic to speak at the event before departing which was fair but raised a few good points.
There was a comment on the post above which is pretty obvious why not but interesting answer:
Today was not the day for Israeli flags.
2.5 Other Organisations
Trade Unions
There were plenty of Trade Unionists in attendance.
Rank-and-file very much supportive of solidarity with the Palestinians. But I do note that in anticipation of later Labor MP status - trade union officials are also targeted by the pro-Israel lobby for their trips to Israel just as they target junior political staffers, student leaders etc. with an eye on the long game.
In fact - the current NSW Premier Chris Minns was on the very first 2003 AIJAC paid trip to Israel whilst he was a junior minister. His fellow attendees were then Secretary of the NSW State Liberal Party (a guy called Scott Morrison) and then AWU National Secretary - a young man named Bill Shorten.
The rest is history.
2.6 Individuals
3. Speakers
Mehreen Faruqi - on speaking up and building momentum calling for “the harshest sanctions on Israel”
Anthony Lowenstein - on BDS to isolate Israel
4. Police confusion
The march itself proceeded in good faith - however it became apparent that the sheer numbers of people would overwhelm the public transport stations on the other side of the bridge.
Initially the police issued a statement saying that the marchers should head back which the organisers passed on.
But then it became obvious that the march couldn’t be stopped so then they issued a statement saying that all could walk across the bridge but then those who wished to do so could walk back across in phases.
They then deleted this (link to deleted NSW Police FB post here for what it’s worth) and issued another statement - with geographically targeted text messages - advising all marchers to stop and head back into the City.
The march was in full swing at that point and most marchers continued across the bridge.
There were no arrests, no injuries to police or protestors and the police noted that the marchers were well behaved and the organisers co-operated with them extensively. In the end even after the differing direction - the harbour bridge re-opened just 30 minutes later than planned.
HOWEVER … the NSW police managed to take a very dim view of the march in later press conferences and say that there could have been a massive emergency and crush and that they would not like to do the same again with such short notice.
So … demonising protesters without demonising? You can be sure this will be edited by Sky News et al forgetting the paragraph before - and used as justification for not doing another march.
But it also sounds defensive - as if the officers on the day were not properly prepared, did not have a clear plan and issued confusing and contradictory instructions which in itself potentially risked marchers.
And NOTHING to do with the protest organisers.
Who had in fact earlier offered to postpone the march by a week if it helped.
Watch this space for the fallout.
5. Agent Provocateurs: Who?
My initial writing on this on 3 Aug was “I did not see evidence of incitement or agent provocateurs in the march as I had initially been concerned with.” with this section called “Agent Provocateurs - in absence”
Wrong. There was. But not direct confrontation - rather for the most awful sabotaging photo opportunities.
See section Epilogue: The biggest faux pas for what happened or a summary of such incidents (including some most probably not provocateurs) in Appendix B: Sky News Shortcut Section.
As to who might deliberately sabotage.
5.1 Shirion Collective
The pro-Israel lobby are desperate at this point with global opinion shifting and a series of legal losses such as letting this march go ahead - so I wouldn’t put it past them.
Also in December 2023 Shirion Collective put out a global call for provocateurs naming Sydney as one location.
There has been a more sinister change in the “provocateur” landscape since the December 2023 call from Shirion Collective above.
5.2 Provocateur attacks on Jewish property
In Australia - a spate of “antisemitic property attacks” have in fact turned out to be hoax attacks perpetrated by local criminals for hire paid by “overseas actors”.
Not ideology related, not antisemitic - but politically motivated according to the police - attacking the property of the Jewish community to whip up an appearance of antisemitism with the benefit and aim of suppressing criticism of Israel.
This was initially proven in New South Wales with a spate of property attacks and a planted caravan with non-functioning explosives1 but also finally after over six months of investigation in Victoria with the Adass Synagogue firebombing being by same criminals for hire and also “politically motivated”2.
Sounds like tin hat theory? You would hope so but not.
The timing just happened to coincide with pivotal points in Australia’s attitude to Israel (a crucial vote on Palestinian statehood where Australia changed it’s long-held neutrality) and the upcoming general election with a right-wing almost fanatical Liberal leader Peter Dutton vying for power3.
It’s not a long leap to consider such provocateurs in this key march being organised by the same “overseas actors” or local pro-Israel equivalents.
5.3 Advance notice: Israeli Government protest reports
Israel itself keeps a watchful eye on “antisemitic” protests throughout the world with reports produced through its “Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism”4.
The Ministry produces weekly reports on protests occurred and upcoming but reporter Jommy Tee noted the Sydney bridge march had its own report produced5.
The report makes for disturbing reading with a number of open questions. The “risk” - ostensibly for “risk to Jewish/Israeli assets” - is defined as “high” for the march.
Someone has gone to the trouble of:
identifying the key speakers and groups
listing their instagram followers
reviewing social media posts for “like count” as a factor in defining risk based on the popularity of the protest
When I say “someone” - I mean reports and “technological solutions” according to the disclaimer in this report and risk assessment from another:
There is also “Weekly Restricted Report: Anti-Israel Protest Forecast” which has protests this particular week listed in US, Netherlands, Cyprus, Türkiye, Canada, France, Malaysia and Morocco6.
Other than the US the country with the most entries listed is Australia - excerpt below:
For each protest the name of groups involved is listed with their instagram followers, and total like count for the protest (presumably aggregated across the different groups identified posts on the protest).
There is also a column “proximity to Israeli assets” is listed - from an earlier report seems to be mostly Embassies (automatically listing as “high” risk) but I wonder if it would extend to Israeli companies or even suppliers.
Who is providing this information?
There is an open question of who is providing this information from Australia to the central Israeli Ministry in the first place?
The answer has to be - by their own admission - the pro-Israel lobby groups in each country themselves. The ADL in the US admit to monitoring pro-Palestine groups “that we’ve long tracked that have long been problematic”7 - whilst leaked speaker notes from Mark Leibler noted that journalist Sophie McNeill “knew she was being watched”8.
What’s it being used for?
This doesn’t sound like combatting antisemitism to me.
It sounds like maintaining files on “state enemies” with the “risk” level being an indication of the level of PR risk to Israel’s reputation.
The centralising of this I imagine determines the recommended response from your local pro-Israel network.
Which may be your “official” pro-Israel lobby or nothing stopping these public websites by the Israeli Government being read by unscrupulous actors re. provocateurs.
Who is paying for this monitoring?
Ultimately the taxpayer. Indirectly for Australian pro-Israel organisations - essentially lobbying fronts for Israel - enjoying tax-free charity status.
Or in fact directly - where it is a freaking Government department in itself re. the Australian “Antisemitism Envoy”. Again co-ordinated by a central Envoy group (SECCA) back in Israel.
Either way protest reporting and responses are co-ordinated centrally by the Israeli Government.
And in whose interest must that be?
Freedom of Information?
Surely there must be a law to demand any data related to organisations or individuals being sent outside of Australia if more than publicly available information - though the groups would need identified in the first place.
One for the pro-Palestine lawyers to keep in the bag.
6. Counterprotestors
I did see a call out for “Australians to assemble 1pm bringing your Aussie flags with you” the day before.
In the end - there was a counterprotest. Of four people from all accounts.
This contrasts with the marches I’ve attended in Düsseldorf in Germany where the police authorise counterprotestors to appear at different sections of the march - slurping watermelon, shouting abuse and blasting Israeli music as the marchers go past9.
7. To the media
What can I say? Pardon my French but about fucking time. Out in force today only because of the disruption, size of protest, hoping for a pro-Israel headline and perhaps sensing the winds of change.
But for fucks sake - as bloody complicit as the rest (over an above NewsCorp) for their 22 months of silence never attending protests - except when a good image comes up.
Crikey have produced a good review of the press coverage after the march10 (as I have outlined in Appendix C: Negative Media Reports on the march) but below are some highlights I noted during the march.
I see 7 News were back-pedalling after publishing this SHIT earlier in the year during the fake Caravangate “antisemitism” hoax - an artists impression of a caravan going off outside a synagogue. FFS. 🤦
Lauren Dubois made a fair point - on the Sydney Sweeney “genes/jeans” debacle. Are Palestinians too brown?
However I think her point extends to the media note just reporting on the Gazans but also the local protests here also.
There is a huge mix of protestors from all walks of life, ages and creeds - but with the the genocide and region in the Middle East and a significant Lebanese population in Australia - a large contingent of the protestors are originally from the region also. Is this Australia’s not-so-casual racism raising it’s head?
Final word from the Shovel - satire not satire11:
8. Reflections on a milestone
Having attended these marches virtually every week through 2023/2024 I was sad to have missed this one being overseas.
I have to say that this feels like a significant milestone on an upwards trajectory for the movement.
A point is that the momentum needs to be kept, acknowledging and welcoming those coming for the first time and encouraging people to “buddy up” with an “accountability partner” to keep the attendance going. A civic duty for humanity.
Protesting is a human right and a duty for those who can’t.
Which is what I heard a Liverpudlian lady despairing at on a Podcast as she was arrested for holding a placard saying “Palestine is in danger. Take action now” - for supporting Palestine Action. She is on bail and effectively house arrest until a hearing which could be in six to nine months… and she despaired at "not being able to do her civic duty” through protest12.
Finally the gravity of the situation is getting through and with Israel’s actions so heavily defended by an immaculately presented pro-Israel lobby of professionals in Australia - the shine has worn off.
A Court ruling against a cleric who said some incredibly antisemitic things (and was deservedly found guilty) had the unexpected result of clearly defining what was not antisemitic.
This isolated Zionism for what it is - a racist, apartheid political ideology. Which is what the United Nations determined in a 1975 Resolution which stood for 16 years until Israel blackmailed the US to use its influence to have it removed on condition of attending the Madrid Peace Talks in 199113. Which then PM Yitzak Shamir later admitted he had no intention of taking seriously and was just stringing out the discussion so they could proceed with West Bank Annexation.
These are the kind of people that are using every trick in the book to shut down criticism of Israel with the single-minded goal of Jewish Supremacy in the region and wiping out the Palestinians openly through genocide.
And the general public now are learning what Zionism actually means.
Free Palestine.
Epilogue: The biggest faux pas
The photo-op. Appendix B: Sky News Shortcut Section is a list of what I noted on the day were errors in judgement, bad eggs, inappropriate or on the occasion straight antisemitism.
You will get this with what 100,000 - 300,000 people and you know that 0.001% will be the focal point. And that’s whether or not these people are genuinely misguided OR paid agent provocateurs seeking a photo op or stirring direct confrontation.
But to let those people near your showcase banner and attendees at the front of the “march for humanity” just detracts from all the social capital built up from the march.
I’m sorry but I’m really fucking angry at why this was even allowed. I get it’s a liberal protest - but at this point your PR for these “moments of truth” need to be as slick as the pro-Israel lobby to be effective.
What a fuck up.
I’d identified this as #1 on my post-match run down immediately after the rally of “stuff that will fuck up the movement” (B.1 The Ayatollah - holding a freaking rifle).
Whether or not a provocateur, the guy holding the portrait of Khamenei isn’t committing a crime, it’s not illegal (though he’s probably sanctioned as are Israeli Government Ministers, extremist settlers) - but it just takes away from the “march for humanity” with a political statement broader than Gaza. This was noted by marching MP Ed Husic in his piece in the Guardian the following day14.
And the right-wingers will just see “terrorist towel-head”. Sorry but that’s just the way it is (some examples of this reporting post-march in Appendix C: Negative Media Reports on the march).
If I was Assange I’d be bloody furious - trying to salvage his own reputation after slipping out the public eye for some time.
Former Australian Foreign Minister and NSW Premier Bob Carr issued a statement the following day not only showing his dissent against the Iranian regime but also drawing attention to his concern of provocateur.
I have to admit - good sledge on his comment concerned that a former Australian foreign minister couldn’t recognise Ayatollah Khamenei. Well played.
Also standing at the front was Australian journalist Mary Kostakidis. Currently in Court defending herself against pro-Israel lobby smears about her sharing a post from another “terrorist towel-head” (sic) the deceased Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.
The pro-Israel lobby must be rubbing their hands at this as the Judge deliberates whether to proceed - despite Kostakidis’s comments defending this - none of them saw the placard behind them.
…. but neither infamously did this guy, but this didn’t do him more harm than the infamous mysogyny tongue lashing in Parliament.
And for the broader movement - this image of the Ayatollah behind the principal marchers is going to be our new “Muslim fanatics at the Opera House” meme - which is what this march was trying to reclaim in terms of PR never mind the key focus (as a direct byproduct) of showcasing support for Gaza.
But the media control the narrative. And this is a shit one.
Appendix A: The haters
A selection of haters with replies as appropriate.
A.1 Questionnable Flags? No.
There were accusations of Hamas flags, and ISIS flags being held by protestors. Rubbish - and just sheer ignorance of religious flags with Arabic writing. So a dash of racism in there also no doubt.
A.1.1 NOT Green “Hamas” flags
If the flags weren’t Green Party flags 🤦♂️ then they were religious flags. In fact - this was addressed by ABC Media Watch after hysterical radio reports in Melbourne 11 Aug 2024 for which there were no apologies and buck-passing after clarification15.
A.1.2 NOT Black “ISIS” flags
Black flags are in fact standard religious flags carried at festivals. In fact - it is an anti-terrorist statements specifically against Islamic State who had appropriated such flags to take back celebration of their religion.
This was pointed out by Sydney University Muslim Students Association (SUMSA) in an Insta post last year in an attempt to address Islamophobia over the campus protests16:
A.2 Christian Zionism
Alright perhaps a long bow - but no matter the religion - Israel’s leaders would be crying anti-[appropriate religion name here] to collectivise.
Pastafarianism:
A.3 Nobody Turned Up! Or vastly underestimated numbers
Like Trump arguing his inauguration numbers. From Rob Smith - “badly programmed vodka bot”. This is quite a thread…. 🤣
A.4 Demonising the organisers
There were quite a few posts attempting to trash the image of the public face of the Palestine Action Group, Josh Lees.
and
A.5 Times of Israel blogger
This guy talks a good game - but a skim of his article reveals the usual generalisations and half-truths17.
His overall point is that the Judges themselves appear to be “complicit” in being swayed by the words of the protestors as to the extraordinary reason for the march.
Without taking into account a global shift in public opinion and the broad section of society expected to attend and the genuine humanitarian reasons behind the march.
The point of the Courts is the checks and balances on state. And in this State (NSW) the Premier Chris Minns is compromised, biased and by his own admission takes decisions based on his own warped beliefs on multiculturalism.
An impartial Judiciary - which this one is - is necessary to make the distinction.
Just because you don’t like the outcome doesn’t make it wrong.
To say otherwise and question the Courts is very … Trumpian.
Cummings is a regular writer for the Times of Israel. Some of his other articles are equally disturbing.
A.6 “Using our national icon as a billboard/platform for division”
In addition to free speech - never mind all the examples of shutting the bridge and the global climate - utter hypocrisy when the Opera House was used in this way directly authorised by Minns.
And if you want to double-down on this, the pro-Israel lobby brought an IDF Major to Australia on a PR tour - and took a series of photographs outside of the Opera House waving an Israeli flag.
This was December 2023. The insensitivity was appalling - never mind the exceptionalism shown by the local lobby.
And the guy’s day job outside his IDF service - conveniently missed - was pretty awful too. Essentially literally teaching ex-IDF members how to spin positively their service in the IDF using a “methodology”18.
Incidentally - the same organisation was just this year speaking at universities across Australia19 - with members of the IDF20!
A.7 Generalisations
This is from a pro-Israel account with a number of followers who posts the most drivel. I would have assumed a bot but seems quite targeted if a little… misguided.
Cracking posts - and actual engagement with a few truths in the thread.
Appendix B: Sky News Shortcut Section
In every march you’re going to get some idiots - over enthusiastic, unthinking, over passionate (understandably) or just plain stupid. Without appreciating the fine intracacies of appearance - when passionately protesting a genocide.
But it matters.
For “the Sky News Shortcut Section” - meaning the one or two soundbites, clips or images out of 90,000+ people that make it to the headlines and are played on repeat over and over.
We saw it with the infamous “Opera House footage” of a group of protestors that had nothing to do with the organisers of Palestine marches who did not say “gas the jews”. And yet on repeat - building the association - and continuing even when police debunked what was allegedly said.
They want the edited version for perception (some examples of the actual reporting drawing on many items in this section in Appendix C: Negative Media Reports on the march).
So here’s today’s selection (noting Sky News will pluralise every single isolated incident):
B.1 The Ayatollah - holding a freaking rifle
Update: I listed this one first as the most impactful to the movement. And sure enough… 🤦♂️ I’ve added a section on this - taking away from the day never mind personal risk to Kostakidis at the front - Epilogue: The biggest faux pas.
Despite the fact the Ayatollah is the religious leader for Shia Muslims, happens to be the religious leader of Iran - and not of any proscribed organisation - his image is generalised as “a terrorist symbol”.
Rightly or wrongly - the image had no place front and centre behind the front of the march - lessening the impact of the public figures. If these images are real at the front next to the lead activists it was insensitively managed by the organisers.
Whether or not the guy was a provocateur.
However - in Tony Abbott’s words - you can’t be responsible for whatever signs people choose to hold up behind you.
Although admittedly a few weeks later he was toast at the barbs of Julia Gillard’s “mysogny” speech.
Notably another guy was holding up an image of Dr. Fereydoon Abbassi head of Iran’s nuclear research program killed in Israeli airstrikes 16 June. This does not help….
And to be fair it does appear that there were a fair amount of Iranian demonstrators in Hyde Park with this image ostensibly from 22nd June from a pro-Israel account21:
B.2 Burning Flag (Melbourne)
This one took place in Melbourne at an event running at the same time as the Sydney marches. The marches are a bit more confrontational there - not that that’s any excuse.
Yep this one is a no-no. Un-Australian for one - and plays right into the hands of any number of haters - including the pro-Israel lobby who masquerade as “sharing Australian values” - far from it.
I hope this guy was a pro-Israel lobby plant (as I pointed out!).
Wonder what feed Leibler is getting this from?
B.3 Gay Jews for Gaza
No matter what you think of the above - never mind who’s posting it - it’s in the “Sky News Shortcut” section - cos in their edit is where it will end up!
B.4 The Police - Public Safety
This again is in the “Sky News Shortcut” section. The police took a very grim faced view on the protest …. and suggested great discomfort with the protestors without specifically saying it.
This isn’t the way the press will read it. Listen to the NSW Assistant Commissioners press conference after the march.
And in response to this implied danger from the police department - see Lauren Dubois response. She was right in the middle noting the unclear instructions but ALSO the fact that despite police views - there was no danger or panic amongst protestors and plenty of room.
So either:
NSW Police are exaggerating the danger to cover their own arses for poor management of the situation / conflicting directions
or
They deliberately mismanaged the march to cause a crowd crush - as Dubois implies - but I don’t buy into that.
Either way - Sky News et al won’t care about the detail. Just scaremongering “public danger to themselves” etc.
B.5 Death, Death to the IDF
AJA quick to pick up on this shirt:
And there were a few people chanting this too - “Death, Death to the IDF - the IDF are terrorists” … but I note their post is just ridiculous “if you know anyone who attended today’s Anti-Jewish rally in Sydney, you should keep a close eye on them” 🤦♂️
“death, death…” [anything] is not a good look regardless of the following words and whether you agree or not.
Actually - it does go well with Aussie cult band TISM - “Death, Death, Death - Amway, Amway, Amway” from their 1995 album “Machiavelli and the Four Seasons”.
B.6 The Swaztika
Idiotic and illegal. The marchers need to self-police this more and get away from going against the Australian “ragamuffin” grain of being a dobber / wowser. On an early march I asked a protestor to put away a sign with a Nazi image on it which they did and in a later one advised the organisers of someone carrying a Hezbollah flag, which the organisers had removed.
This should have been shut down - no matter the analogy or feeling. In marching in public place it is illegal under Australian law. Don’t give the bastards anything.
Appendix C: Negative Media Reports on the march
A selection of negative media reports - many drawing from the elements of a few protestors outlined in Appendix B: Sky News Shortcut Section.
The West Australian
Utterly digraceful reporting…. FFS.
On the organisers again:
Appendix D: Positive media reports on the march
Appendix E: Pro-Israel Lobby - Salient posts
Salient members / organisations of the pro-Israel lobby and their selective posts and generalisations regarding the marches.
E.1 Organisations & management
A common theme emerges across the principal pro-Israel organisations. On the surface continued presentation of being the upstanding voice of “moral clarity” and “decency”. Against perceived “hate” and “glorification of terrorism”.
That narrative has worn thin and people can clearly see through their continued defence of Israel for what it is: extension of Israeli state propaganda into Australia enjoying access to politicians at the highest levels masquerading as addressing “antisemitism”.
And when you look back at the last two years of propaganda the pattern is clear.
When you break down each of their responses to the bridge march the thin self-serving narratives are clear.
E.1.1 Zionist Federation of Australia.
An utterly tone deaf response with unconscionable continued scare mongering for the Jewish community. Contrast this with the experience of a Jewish protestor in her words in Appendix F: Experiences of a Jewish protestor.
Breaking it down:
Direct address to the Jewish community - scare mongering
Claiming not just to speak for all the Jewish community but ALSO all Australians - “as Australians return to their daily lives…”. One might note that ECAJ have published a policy platform since well before Oct 7th that echoes brutal Israeli State policy - then actually claims to represent Australian values.
[thes policies will] “enhance general Australian values of democracy and human rights, individual freedom and the rule of law; social justice and compassion; mutual understanding and respect and a fair go for all”22
Implication of deliberate timing of event to coincide with a Jewish holiday - come on… the geopolitics and starvation are at such a level of global outrage this is the real reason.
Condescending “so-called” March for Humanity and later “after protestors move on to their next cause”
Accusations of Hamas support of rally “… those celebrated at these rallies…”.. “amplify hatred, division and extremist ideology” … WTF?
Expectation of an anti-Hamas rally - the common theme all the way through
Hypocrisy - “instead they used a historic landmark” … hello? Opera House / Israeli colours anyone?
If any of these events were NOT by provocateur / plants as is a held suspicion:
Selectively highlighting tiny number of events as evidence - the focus is on a few events - the placard, chants again IDF, image Ayatollah
“Glorification of Terrorism” - based on image of Ayatollah
Pluralisation - “image(s) of the Ayatollah”, “display(s) of Nazi symbolism”
E.1.2 ECAJ
Sharing co-CEO Alex Ryvchin’s interview 2GB:
It goes without saying that as with ZFA post the actions of a few individuals were cherry-picked, pluralised and highlighted as evidence. However - a few interesting themes.
A key point that was reiterated over and over again was that the protestors were somehow “manipulated” by a “staged protest”. And “unwittingly lent themselves to a campaign” - going on to accuse the campaign of being “inherently violent”.
Ironic accusing a group of manipulation from the pro-Israel lobby?
He made an interesting point attacking the Palestine Action Group. Appreciating that the association with the protestors at the Opera House chanting something about jewish people (not “gas” as initially alleged on the basis of an attention-seeking AJA post) is broken the language has changed.
Instead he noted that even as the attacks were fresh on Oct 7th the PAG were applying for a permit to march highlighting the reasons for the attacks.
Whether or not true it’s an interesting line of attack - no doubt picked up by Sky News et al.
I think the PAG protest was motivated in part by realising the absolute horror - based on demonstrable past record - Israel was about to commit in response.
And they had by the time of the peaceful march - not only that - with the Israeli Ambassador to Australia echoing the words of Netanyahu and Gallant (used by the ICJ as evidence of a plausible case for genocide) of blanket-calling all Palestinians “animals”.
Here is PAG Josh Lees noting that offensive remark on 10 Oct 2023 to a visibly uncomfortable floundering ABC host:
And again on the same show Josh noting the opera house protestors had nothing to do with the PAG:
A second post by the other co-CEO of ECAJ (the old sensible cop paired with pin-up boy Ryvchin) made a disingenuous post on “selective compassion”:
The expectation - on a day focused on Gazans - that the protestors would be holding up signs demanding the release of Israeli hostages and condemning Hamas.
22 months and 61,000 Palestinian deaths later still the “but Hamas", “but October 7th”.
I get the compassion - but how many Gazans are genuinely grieved at pro-Israel events without the Hamas disclaimer?
As I say - I don’t agree with signs appropriating Israeli hostage symbols (see below) but today wasn’t the day for this and unrealistic to bleat otherwise. Again any semantic tactic to keep the conversation focused in one way.
E.1.3 AIJAC
As common theme - cherry picking the actions of a few individuals, pluralising, highlighting and generalising to make a point. Kinda difficult with the numbers involved now, but pattern established.
They really went into detail on the individual instances and their potential meaning.
The collective assumption thereafter incredibly offensive - that a “so-called” March for Humanity nothing about getting aid to suffering civilians.
How bloody awful and self-serving is that?
The theme of “hate” continued as a consistent motif. AIJAC is the PR arm of ECAJ - and by extension Israel (principal instigators of propaganda trips to Israel for politicians, journalists and influencers) so they are masters of presentation and spin.
And appropriation of “Australian values”. As with the underlying ECAJ policy platform with respect to Israel, exactly the opposite23.
However AIJAC I think make a fair point regarding the sign below. I didn’t see the sign below so unsure if it was Melbourne or Sydney.
Whilst a clever point the original intent of the yellow ribbon symbol was a humanitarian one from the families of hostages. Yes it’s been hijacked politically by pro-Israel extremists against its original intent as support for the war in Gaza but still insensitive to use this I think to make the point about Palestinian hostages/prisoners.
E.2 Individuals
David Southwick - Victorian State MP for Caulfield, convener of Victorian Parliament Friends of Israel and Victorian Liberal Friends of Israel
Taking a very political line to force the Premier to make further law changes to address perceived hate crimes in Victoria.
Southwick is biased and agenda-driven. And last July he took a contingent of Victorian State MPs on a quiet trip to Israel (funded by the taxpayer, but in co-ordination with AIJAC)24.
The group visited with the IDF but then unconscionably celebrated a “heroic” IDF operation which killed 274 Palestinians, injured at least 700 more and was illegally carried out by IDF personnel hiding in ambulances driving in daylight into a packed marketplace. 4 hostages were rescued but at what cost. Really indicative yet again of a supremacist attitude and the relative value of Palestinian life.
Influencer Drew Pavlou
Appendix F: Experiences of a Jewish protestor
A touching post from Veronica/Happily Made Village on her experience of the march I’ve reproduced here (I have to confess a due to time constraints running a summary of the post through ChatGPT but the distilled sentiment is strong).
F.1 Post Summary
✡️ Jewish Presence at a Historic Protest
Veronica, a Jewish participant, joined the March for Humanity on Sydney Harbour Bridge.
She was invited to walk with a “Jewish Bloc” but chose to separate from the group to maintain a more mindful, peaceful mindset during the rally.
👫 Forming a Profound Human Connection
Just before reaching the bridge, a woman approached Veronica, drawn by her protest banner.
Despite rain and chaos, the two women decided to walk together, leaving the main bloc behind.
💗 Unexpected Outpouring of Love
As they paused near the Opera House side of the bridge, a powerful moment unfolded:
Hundreds of people, including Palestinians and others, stopped to thank them.
Many expressed gratitude with hand-on-heart gestures, hugs, handshakes, photos.
A man from Nablus and others from Lebanon and the Palestinian north shared where they were from.
😭 Healing Through Solidarity
Veronica’s new companion began to cry, explaining she hadn’t expected love — only hostility — because she was Jewish.
Instead, they received overwhelming kindness and deep eye contact that made them feel safe, seen, and welcomed.
✨ A Transformational, Communal Moment
Veronica describes the experience as:
Intimate, healing, and humbling.
Something that transcended their individual identities and spoke to shared humanity.
A moment of deep symbolic unity between Jewish protestors and Palestinians.
📰 A Call to Resist Media Spin
Veronica warns readers not to focus on negative media portrayals of the rally.
Emphasises that:
The march was peaceful and loving.
It was about solidarity, humanity, and a demand to sanction Israel.
🕊️ Final Reflection
Veronica wishes the Jewish community could feel the love and acceptance she experienced.
She believes the moment was not just personal or local, but globally transformational.
📌 Core Message:
Despite fears of hostility, Jewish presence at the pro-Palestine Sydney march was met with warmth, love, and deep connection — showing that solidarity is possible, healing is real, and narratives of division can be challenged through shared humanity.
G.2 Full text post
Okay...I'm going to attempt to explain something that happened yesterday at Sydney Harbour Bridge.
I'll try to be brief but to also capture the "essence" and the transformation that took place.
I arrived early in the morning to what felt like an eerily quiet CBD. I sat in an empty train & the regular crowds I associate with Sydney were missing.
It was impossible to imagine that I was about to be part of the biggest crowd of people I've ever experienced.
I'm not part of a specific group but had been asked to join a Jewish Bloc that would walk across the bridge together. I realised pretty early on that this was only going to create stress & I wouldn't be able to be in the more mindful head/heart space I prefer to be in during rallies.
Not long before reaching the bridge I had a woman tap me on the shoulder. She explained that she had seen my banner from across the crowds and asked if she could walk with me. It was hard to hear what she was saying because of the noise from the protest and the chopper circling above us.
I yelled that I was heading over to the Opera House side of the bridge which meant leaving the "Jew Crew" as I call them.
My new friend stuck to my side as we snaked our way between banners and torrential rain.
As we caught our breath I realised that almost every person walking past was mouthing "thank you" or touching their chest as a form of gratitude.
Standing still was a much calmer experience than wrestling the rain & wind with my giant banner and ridiculous back pack weighing me down. I thought we'd just be a couple of minutes before joining the masses moving across the bridge.
But the thank yous just kept coming and coming and coming.
I looked over at my new friend who now had tears streaming down her face.
During a lull she explained how she wished her friends could experience the love we were receiving. How they had been afraid to come. How they had expected the crowds to be hostile because of them being Jewish.
Instead there was only love.
Not only thank yous, but handshakes and hugs and endless photos and people wanting to pose with us.
Elderly parents wanted to have their photo.
I couldn't hear all the locations but there was a man from Nablus, another from Lebanon, one from the north. Most were using the Palestinian names of their home towns.
In a matter of minutes me & my friend transformed from being two drenched women wrestling a banner & an umbrella to somehow representing a Jewish presence.
It's hard to explain but it's one of the most intimate experiences of my life.
The intensity of the eye contact.
The deep kindness.
The absolute acceptance.
Truly a humbling experience that of course transcended us as individuals and represented something much bigger.
The closest explanation I have is that it was healing.
And I wish I could bottle up the love from the thousands of well wishers and spray it on the Jewish community in Australia who have convinced themselves that there's hostility.
It sounds dramatic, but something transformational happened on Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday.
Individually and communally. And I'm going to say globally as well.
In the next few days you'll read articles where any skerrick of negativity from the rally will be amplified.
Please don't give them any space.
The rally was about love & our shared humanity. (And to sanction Israel!!!)
♡ Veronica
📚 Further Reading
Sleekit Scotsman ☮️🏴 Substack Related Articles with article summaries.
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The questionable “charity status” vs. actual activities
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Example blatant pro-Israel posts flying in the face of public opinion - as with Israel
An Australian Federal Court as part of a legal ruling clearly defines that criticism of Israel or Zionism is not antisemitic, and furthermore defines Zionism as “a philosophy or ideology” (first published Jul 15 2025):
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Pro-Israel campus organisations
The introduction of IHRA to University governance
Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal - a history of pro-Israel bias
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Media misrepresentation
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International Criminal Court
International Court of Justice
Israeli Supreme Court rulings
External independent legal opinions
UN Security Council Resolution and General Assembly Motions
NGO Reports (International, Israeli)
Inspired by Düsseldorf protest march 28 Jun (first published 2 Jul) covering:
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Israel’s campaign against UNRWA and the disastrous replacement GHF
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Republican Brian Mast - Representative for the IDF and Florida-21
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🗄️ Version History - Article Updates
First published: 3 Aug 2025
Last Update: 8 Aug 2025
Sleekit Scotsman ☮️🏴 articles are updated periodically to add latest information on the subject of the article for relevance
Updates
8 Aug 2025:
added march 2.6 Individuals
added 5.3 Advance notice: Israeli Government protest reports
added A.7 Generalisations
5 Aug 2025:
added 6. Counterprotestors with contrast with Düsseldorf protest counterprotests
changed section to 5. Agent Provocateurs - who? reflecting their actual presence (just non-confrontational - photo ops)
added Appendix F: Experiences of a Jewish protestor: an eloquent post from a Jewish protestor sharing her experiences
added detail on Epilogue: The biggest faux pas
4 Aug 2025:
added 2.5 Other Organisations with notes on pro-Israel lobby union member trips
added section on “appropriating Sydney icons” hypocrisy and Israel-IS - A.6 “Using our national icon as a billboard/platform for division”
added Swaztika - B.6 The Swaztika
added Epilogue: The biggest faux pas. The Ayatollah portrait. 🤦♂️
3 Aug 2025: updated with internal URLs
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📋 References
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