Aus state says pro-Palestine event on Oct 7 anniversary 'shockingly insensitive'

7/10/2025 12:04

Australia's most populous state criticised a pro-Palestine group's plan to stage a protest event in Sydney on Tuesday, the second anniversary of the attacks by militant group Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered a deadly war in Gaza.



Israel's military strikes have since killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and left the majority of 2.2 million Gazans homeless and starving in an enclave destroyed by relentless bombardment.



The Stand for Palestine Australia group is planning a 'glory to our martyrs' event on Tuesday evening in Sydney's Bankstown suburb, drawing condemnation from Chris Minns, the premier of the state of New South Wales, which includes Sydney.



"Terrible timing, shockingly insensitive," Minns told radio station 2GB. "We understand that there is concern about innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, but to do it ... on 7th, seems like they are glorifying the actions of these Hamas terrorists, and not the circumstance of those that are living in Gaza."



Hamas also took some 251 people hostage in the attacks, with 20 thought to still be alive in Gaza.