Four pro-Palestine demonstrators were apprehended after scaling the roof of Australia’s Parliament House on Thursday, sparking widespread condemnation from lawmakers. Simultaneously, a ruling party senator resigned over the government’s position on Palestine.
The protesters stood atop the Canberra building for about an hour, unfurling black banners that included the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” commonly used in pro-Palestine activism.
Using a megaphone, one protester delivered a speech accusing the Israeli government of war crimes, a charge strongly contested by Israel. “We will not forget, we will not forgive, and we will continue to resist,” declared the protester.
Police and security advised against approaching the main entrance of the building directly under the protest, while additional security personnel attempted to remove the protesters from the roof.
The demonstrators dismantled their banners and were subsequently escorted away by waiting police around 11:30 am (local time).
All four individuals were arrested and charged with trespassing, and they have been barred from entering the parliament grounds for two years, according to a spokesperson from the Australian Capital Territory police.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the protest, emphasizing that while peaceful protest is valued, this incident did not meet that standard.
The Speaker of Australia’s lower house, Milton Dick, announced an investigation into the security breach.
In a significant political development, Fatima Payman, a senator from the ruling Labour Party, resigned on Thursday to sit as an independent after being suspended for voting in favor of a motion supporting Palestinian statehood.
“At witnessing our government’s indifference to what I consider the greatest injustice of our times, I question the direction the party is heading,” Payman stated during a press conference.
Australia, which has called for a ceasefire in the conflict for months, does not currently recognize Palestinian statehood. However, Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated in May that recognition could occur before a formal peace process between Israel and Palestinian authorities is completed.
Payman’s departure could complicate Labour’s legislative efforts in the Senate, where it does not hold a majority.
The conflict in Gaza erupted when Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israel.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military offensive that, according to Gaza health officials, has claimed nearly 38,000 lives and left the densely populated coastal enclave severely damaged.
A recent UN inquiry found that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes during the initial stages of the conflict, with Israel’s actions also classified as crimes against humanity due to significant civilian casualties.
Throughout the conflict, Australia has been a site of numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including regular protests in major cities and prolonged occupations of university campuses.
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