Gaza invasion imminent; UN dispute IDF Palestinian relocation request; Sydney Palestine protest sparks new NSW Police powers

Australia has long had one of the highest concentrations of Jewish Holocaust survivors outside of Israel, and federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is the son of one of them.

He told the crowd at a vigil for Israel in Melbourne tonight that there was no excuse or justification for the atrocities of Hamas.

“Australia stands as one with Israel and the Jewish people,” he said, speaking of the strong bond of friendship between Australia and Israel.

Dreyfus was flanked by a strong contingent of federal politicians from both sides, including Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie and Liberal senator James Paterson, as well as Victorian MPs.

As the sun set in Melbourne, Israel was waking up.

Many at the Caulfield rally spoke of family back there – children sheltering from rockets in bunkers, relatives snatched or killed in their beds or soldiers called up to fight as the Netanyahu government declared war on the terrorist organisation Hamas.

However, there is also concern for the 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza where Hamas rules, now cut off food, power and other supplies under heavy Israeli bombardment.

“Hamas must be destroyed,” Paterson said, stressing the group was now putting both Palestinian and Jewish lives at risk and said hostage-taking should not weaken Israel’s resolve.

“You can feel safe and proud of your Jewishness,” he told those gathered tonight.

While the rally on Friday evening was peaceful, police on horseback and in plain clothes kept a close watch.