Pro-Palestine Rally in Sydney Features Terror Group Flag on Anniversary of Hamas Attacks

A flag linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Canada, and the European Union, was displayed at a pro-Palestine vigil in Sydney on Wednesday night. The event, organized by Jews Against the Occupation '48, coincided with the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.

During the vigil, an activist was seen holding a poster depicting Yahya Sinwar, a slain Hamas leader widely regarded as the architect of the October 7 assault. The PFLP publicly supported the Hamas attack, urging Palestinians to participate in what it called the 'Al-Aqsa Flood' operation. The PFLP, founded in 1967, advocates for the destruction of Israel and opposes a two-state solution.

The rally included peaceful speeches and poetry readings, alongside calls for solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Promotional materials for the event used the slogan 'Don't Let Israel Steal the Date,' with organizers stating that Israel's 'genocidal airstrikes began on 7 October 2023.'

The decision to hold the event on the anniversary of the attacks drew sharp criticism from political figures in New South Wales. Premier Chris Minns described the vigil as 'heartless,' though he acknowledged that authorities lacked the legal power to prevent it. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane condemned the presence of symbols linked to extremist groups, calling it an 'appalling provocation and deeply damaging to social cohesion.' A government spokesperson stated that 'there is no place for the promotion or glorification of terrorism.'

Similar vigils were held in other Australian cities, with tensions reportedly flaring between pro-Palestine demonstrators and counter-protesters in Melbourne. The PFLP has a history of high-profile terrorist attacks, including aircraft hijackings and the seizure of OPEC headquarters in Vienna in the 1970s.