Warning Issued for Australians Supporting Hezbollah at Rallies
During pro-Palestinian protests, participants openly displayed Hezbollah flags and pictures of deceased terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah in Sydney and Melbourne on Sept. 29. They chanted jihadist slogans, prompting Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to warn of potential visa cancellations for those inciting discord.
Video footage from the rallies captured individuals wearing Hezbollah symbols and waving flags with the message “Hezbollah will be victorious.” Additionally, some carried framed photos of Nasrallah with text indicating allegiance to Allah. Children in Sydney were also seen holding posters of the late Hezbollah leader.
The group chanted “labayka ya Nasrallah” and anti-U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia slogans. The protests, a regular occurrence since 2023, drew up to 2,000 participants in Sydney over the weekend.
Burke condemned any support for a terrorist organization as security agencies monitored the situation. Law enforcement was urged to act by Coalition’s home affairs spokesman James Paterson, who highlighted the violation of criminal laws.
Protests prompted scrutiny, with visa holders facing potential cancellations for inciting violence. The display of Hezbollah symbols drew criticism from politicians like Paterson, who emphasized the illegality of inciting religious-based violence. Masjid Arrahman mosque announced a service for martyrs from Lebanon, Palestine, and the Islamic world, while Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong faced criticism for her stance on Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.
Responses varied across the political spectrum, with differing views on the recognition of Palestine and the potential impact on peace efforts in the Middle East.
