By Andrew Brown in Canberra
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched on the Israeli embassy in Canberra while calling for the federal government to place sanctions on the country ahead of parliament’s return.
The rally on Sunday was held on the first of three days of planned protest action in Canberra, culminating with the first sitting day of the new parliamentary term on Tuesday.
Sunday’s rally saw hundreds of demonstrators gather on the lawns of Parliament House, before heading towards the embassy.
Thousands of paper kites were placed on the lawns, some bearing the names of children who have been killed in the Middle East conflict.
Protesters called for the government to impose Israeli sanctions for attacks on Gaza.
Criticism was also levelled against a report to the federal government handed down by anti-Semitism special envoy Jillian Segal.
The report urged the government to withhold funds from universities and cultural institutions who fail to act against anti-Semitism, or if they facilitate it.
One speaker at the rally, Janet Parker from Jews for Palestine WA, said the proposal from the special envoy in the report went too far.
“The result would be censorship and surveillance of public institutions and the repression of expressions of solidarity,” she told the rally.
Ms Segal’s report said intervention was needed to address rising levels of anti-Semitism in the community.
“The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia’s Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are,” she said after the report’s release.
The federal government is waiting for a report from the special envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, to consider the recommendations alongside Ms Segal’s report.
Sunday’s rally in Canberra came a day after activists vandalised the Australian-American memorial in Canberra.
The base of the almost 80-metre column was sprayed with red paint on Saturday, with activists saying it was a “toxic” reminder of the role of the nations’ alliance in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
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