29 December 2025
The Free Palestine movement will rally outside of the State Library of Victoria on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at 12pm to oppose Israeli violations and protest the visit of Israeli President, Isaac Herzog to Australia. At least 406 people have been killed in Gaza since the commencement of the ceasefire while settler violence has increased in the West Bank.
This visit whitewashes Israeli atrocities as the state of Israel is currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for the crime of genocide. Herzog has been named in the International Court of Justice proceedings, with statements he has made such as there are “no innocent civilians in Gaza” evidencing genocidal intent.
Reputable human rights organisations including Amnesty International have documented the state’s ongoing contraventions of international law and clearly labeled the atrocities being committed in Palestine as genocide.
“States have a duty under international law to prevent and punish genocide. At a time when the state of Israel is credibly accused and on trial for this most heinous of crimes, it is deeply disturbing that Australia is extending a diplomatic welcome. The appropriate action would be to rescind this invitation and join Belgium who have recently joined the South African case at The Hague” said Australia Palestine Advocacy Network President, Nasser Mashni.
The Palestinian people continue to be subjected to an illegal occupation and ongoing genocide at the hands of the state of Israel.
Nasser Mashni said “Israeli officials should be sanctioned, they should not be welcomed by the Australian government. Since the commencement of this so-called ceasefire in October, Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement at least 875 times. Israel continues to kill, maim and block vital aid to Gaza. The genocide is still ongoing. There is no ceasefire”.
This protest comes at a time of increased anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism and the despicable linkage of the free Palestine movement with the horror of Bondi. Zionists, politicians and the media have resorted to smear campaigns against the Pro-Palestine movement, a racist attack on the Arabic language through the banning of the word ‘Intifada’ which translates to uprising, and talks of imposing suppressive laws to limit freedom of speech and assembly.
“The right to demonstrate is an essential part of a thriving democracy and as such it is essential that the Allan government’s proposed protest laws are opposed. Any attempt to deter and/or prevent people from protesting injustice, wherever that may be, must be rejected. The right to protest Indigenous injustice, climate inaction and speak out against crimes that are being committed in Palestine, or anywhere else in the world, must be protected.” said activist & organiser, Sarah Baarini.
Free Palestine Rally
Date: Sunday, 11 January 2026
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
RALLY ENDORSED BY:
Anakbayan Melbourne
Australian Muslims for Palestine (‘AM4P’)
Australian Services Union Members for Palestine (‘ASU’)
Banyule Palestine Action Group
Black Peoples Union (‘BPU’)
Brimbank for Palestine
Community Defence Marshalling System
Darebin for Palestine
Disrupt War
Free Palestine Ballarat
Free Palestine Central Victoria
Free Palestine Coalition
Free Palestine Dandenong Action
Free Palestine Fundraiser Australia
Free Palestine Geelong
Free Palestine Melbourne
Freedom Socialist Party (‘FPS’)
Greek Australians for a Free Palestine
Healthcare Workers for Palestine
Hobsons Bay for Palestine
Hume for Palestine
Islamic Council of Victoria (‘ICV’)
Jewish Greens
Jews Against Fascism
Kingston for Palestine
Knox for Palestine
Lasnet
Loud Jew Collective
Melbourne for Palestine
Melton for Palestine
Merri-Bek and Northern Suburbs for Palestine
Menzies for Palestine
Moonee Valley for Palestine
Mums for Palestine
Muslim Votes Matter
Nillumbik 4 Palestine
Palestine Library Action Network Naarm
Palestinian Community Association (‘PCA’)
Queer Arabs Australia
Radical Women
Revolutionary Communist Organisation (‘RCO’)
Refugee Action Collective (Vic)
Renegade Solidarity Audio Force
Seeds of Hope Collective
Socialist Alliance
Socialist Alternative Melbourne
Solidarity
South East Asian Coalition Naarm
Students for Palestine
Teachers and School Staff for Palestine
The Greens
The Sit-Intifada
Unionists for Palestine
Unimelb for Palestine (‘UM4P’)
Victorian Socialists
Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance
Weapons out of Victoria
Wyndham for Palestine
Wyndham Palestine Action Group
3CR Radical Radio
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