Key Points
- A demonstration in support of Israel is being held in Sydney's Martin Place.
- A pro-Palestinian rally also got under way in Sydney's Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon.
- Events were also taking place in Melbourne.
The haunting images of children kidnapped by Hamas gunmen have been placed in empty prams in Sydney's CBD, as
Thousands of people gathered in Martin Place on Sunday in a show of solidarity with Israel and to plead for the release of hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas, which is listed as a banned terrorist organisation by the Australian government.
Empty prams with posters in support of hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October are on display at a Sydney gathering in support of Israel. Source: AAP / Brent Lewin
Hundreds of pairs of shoes and photographs were laid out to represent the 230 Israeli men, women and children kidnapped in raids by the militants on 7 October.
'We're not going to be scared'
"Some of our community is scared to even go out as a Jewish person," one speaker said.
"I have an answer to those people: not under this generation.
People attend a demonstration to show solidarity with Israel in Sydney. Source: AAP / Brent Lewin
The event ended with a moment of silence before the demonstrators filed down Pitt Street towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge to get a group photo, which they planned to send to friends and family in Israel.
Rally in support of Palestinians
A pro-Palestinian rally also got underway in Sydney's Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon.
Organisers for the event expected an even larger turnout than the 15,000 people who marched through the Sydney CBD last weekend.
A heavy police presence of more than 1,000 officers is expected to ensure safety on the city's streets.
People at a pro-Palestinian rally in Hyde Park in Sydney on Sunday. Source: AAP / Brent Lewin
Israel has laid siege to the 2.3 million people living in Gaza and unleashed a bombing campaign that's left more than 8,000 dead, another 12,000 wounded and roughly one million displaced, according to Palestinian officials.
Pointing to Palestinian support rallies from earlier this month, where some people who gathered , Opposition Leader Peter Dutton warned similar scenes on Sunday could damage Australia's international reputation.
"Nobody wants to see a loss of life in the Middle East or anywhere else, nobody will tolerate discrimination against any Australian regardless of their religious faith or their background," he told Sky News.
"The scenes we saw at the Sydney Opera House, where people were cheering the slaughter of Israelis by Hamas terrorists, they're scenes that don't belong in our country otherwise."
More rallies in Melbourne
In Melbourne, Zionism Victoria estimated about 2,000 people gathered at Caulfield Park in the city's southeast to call for the hostages' immediate return.
Victoria Police later said 1,000 people attended the rally, where there were no incidents.
"There was a strong sentiment and feeling of community solidarity," Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb told AAP.
"We marked (the event with) song and speeches, calmly coming together to seek the return of the hostages and stand with Israel."
Thousands of people also gathered at the State Library in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday in support of a free Palestine, with children among the attendees holding placards in a sea of Palestinian flags.
The crowd chanted "Free, free Palestine", and one speaker told attendees: "What is going on is nothing short of genocide."
"We need to be very clear in demanding a ceasefire," the speaker said.
"We need to boycott those companies who are supporting this."
Police were also present at the pro-Palestinian event in Melbourne.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers' top priority was keeping the peace and ensuring the event was safe for the people attending as well as the broader community.
Greens leader Adam Bandt on Sunday reiterated calls for a ceasefire and condemned Labor's failure to vote for a ceasefire at the UN General Assembly.
used for emergency generators are running out.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is helping 88 Australians and their families in Gaza.
