A pro-Palestine forum defending the use of the phrase 'Globalise the Intifada' went ahead on Tuesday night, despite the council cancelling permission at the eleventh hour. The event, titled 'Why is it right to say Globalise the Intifada', was originally scheduled to be held at the East Sydney Community Arts Centre in inner-Sydney. However, it was relocated to Charles Kernan Reserve in Darlington, near Redfern station, after Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore retracted permission for the event to be held in a council-owned building, citing potential 'hostility and fear'.
Intifada's Controversial Meaning
The term 'intifada' translates to 'uprising' in Arabic and has been associated with several violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis. In a statement, Moore said, 'I have long supported the principles of peaceful assembly, protest and freedom of speech. However, these rights must always be balanced with a responsibility to ensure public safety and respect for all members of our diverse community.'
Event Proceeds Despite Opposition
The event, organised by the Stop The War on Palestine group, went ahead at the park in Darlington on Tuesday night. Organisers rejected Moore's implications, stating online: 'We reject the implication from Clover Moore that our meeting risks public safety and respect for members of the community. It is the Murdoch media that has been spreading fear and lies about the forum and about the slogan 'Globalise the Intifada'.' Approximately 150 people attended, and activists asked attendees to donate toward the cost of private security guards, which were required by the council to hold the event.
Premier Chris Minns had earlier claimed the forum was essentially calling for a 'violent uprising' and described the intifada phrase as 'antithetical to the kind of community that you want to live in'. Several notable figures spoke at the event, including controversial Cumberland Councillor Ahmed Ouf, who told attendees: 'It's a must that we globalise the intifada. I am a globalise the intifada walking on the face of earth, it's in our actions. We have to break the internal chains and invite others.'
Broader Context of Pro-Palestine Protests
Pro-Palestine protests have been a divisive occurrence in Sydney since the current conflict between Palestine and Israel began on October 7, 2023. Critics claim the demonstrations are antisemitic in nature, while supporters defend them as peaceful and anti-war. Tensions peaked during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney in February, following the terror attack at Bondi Beach that targeted a Jewish event. A total of 27 protesters were arrested during marches against Herzog's visit, and a violent crackdown by police triggered accusations of police brutality. The strong response came after Premier Chris Minns passed special temporary laws to limit protests and increase police powers, which were later found to be unconstitutional by the NSW High Court.
