Tens of thousands of Australians rallied nationwide over the weekend to demand an end to arms sales to Israel and the imposition of sanctions similar to those already placed on Russia.

Organised by the Palestine Action Group, the national rallies followed a recent demonstration in Sydney that attracted tens of thousands of protesters and shut down the Harbour Bridge.

Demonstrations were held in major cities and regional towns, with chants of “free free Palestine” echoing from Brisbane to Bathurst. Protesters carried placards reading “stop genocide” as they condemned Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which has killed more than 62,600 Palestinians since October 2023 and left the enclave on the brink of famine.

Crowds were vast across the country. In Sydney, organizers estimated around 40,000 participants, while Melbourne drew between 50,000 and 60,000. Smaller but still significant numbers were reported in Hobart, Perth, and Brisbane. Police in Brisbane said about 10,000 joined the protest, though rally organizers claimed attendance reached closer to 50,000.

Speakers at the rallies accused the Australian government of complicity through weapons trade. “Australians are horrified that we are selling weapons components to the Israeli government. It’s got to stop,” said Greens Senator Larissa Waters, urging Canberra to introduce sanctions on Israel “just like we have on Russia.”

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who joined demonstrators in Melbourne, drew parallels between the Palestinian struggle and First Nations struggles. She denounced the export of F-35 fighter jet parts, declaring: “The only way we’re going to get traction here is to boycott Israel in all its forms.”

Calls for harsher government measures echoed in Canberra as well, where Senator David Pocock pressed for sanctions targeting Israeli leaders.

In Sydney, organizer Amal Nasser described famine in Gaza as a deliberate weapon of war and demanded “crippling” economic restrictions against Israel alongside a complete halt to the arms trade.

The movement was not confined to big cities. Regional centers such as Mackay, Bathurst, and Margaret River also saw demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians.