logo
Protesters have targeted Albo's Sydney electorate office after Israeli forces board Greta Thunberg's ship

Protesters have targeted Albo's Sydney electorate office after Israeli forces board Greta Thunberg's ship

West Australian09-06-2025
Protesters have gathered outside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Sydney electorate office after Israeli forces intercepted a boat of activists – including Greta Thunberg – that was attempting to challenge the blockade of Gaza.
Thunberg was among a group of activists on board the ship aid supplies when the boat was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday Sydney time.
Several prerecorded videos were posted to X by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition following the interception, including one where Thunberg urged people to put pressure on the Swedish government to release her and the other protesters as soon as possible.
'If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,' Thunberg said in the video.
The Israel Foreign Ministry have dubbed the boat a 'selfie yacht' of 'celebrities' in a post to X, writing the boat was 'safely making its way to the shores of Israel'.
'The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,' the Israel Foreign Ministry wrote to X about 10.54am AEST.
Pro-Palestine protesters called a snap protest at Mr Albanese's office in Marrickville on Monday afternoon, wielding signs reading 'Good guys don't block aid' and Palestinian flags.
Other signs read 'Hey Albo it's time. Sanction Israel now!'
Students for Palestine (SFP) Australia called for the nationwide rallies in response to the interception of the Madleen ship.
An SFP co-convener called on Mr Albanese and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong to expel the Israeli ambassador, cut military and economic ties with Israel, and pressure Israel to release the activists.
'The Madleen crew represent the hopes of all those who stand for humanity against the starvation and bombardment of Gazans, and they must be immediately released,' the SFP co-convener said in a statement on Instagram.
More to come
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'We have begun the preliminary operations': Israel takes first steps of planned assault on Gaza City, calls up tens of thousands of reservists
'We have begun the preliminary operations': Israel takes first steps of planned assault on Gaza City, calls up tens of thousands of reservists

Sky News AU

time19 minutes ago

  • Sky News AU

'We have begun the preliminary operations': Israel takes first steps of planned assault on Gaza City, calls up tens of thousands of reservists

The Israeli military has announced taking first steps of a planned assault to take over Gaza City, calling up to 60,000 reservists to assist with the process as mediators from surrounding countries become desperate to reach an agreement before the new offensive begins. A military official told reporters on Wednesday, reserve soldiers would not report for duty until September - an interval that gives mediators some time to bridge gaps between Hamas and Israel over truce terms. However, after Israeli troops clashed with Hamas fighters in the Palestinian enclave on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the Israeli leader sped up the timeline for taking control of Hamas strongholds and defeating the militant group that triggered the conflict with an attack on Israel in October 2023. The Israeli statements signaled Israel was pressing ahead with its plan to seize Gaza's biggest urban centre despite international criticism of an operation likely to force the displacement of many more Palestinians. "We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City," Brigadier General Effie Defrin, Israel's military spokesman, told reporters. Defrin said troops were already operating on the outskirts of Gaza City, and Hamas was now a "battered and bruised" guerrilla force. "We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization," the spokesman said. Israel's security cabinet, chaired by Netanyahu, approved a plan this month to expand the campaign in Gaza with the aim of taking Gaza City, where Israeli forces waged fierce urban warfare with Hamas in the early stages of the war. Israel currently holds about 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip. Many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider, but Netanyahu is under pressure from some far-right members of his coalition to reject a temporary ceasefire, continue the war and pursue the annexation of the territory. The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when gunmen led by Hamas attacked southern Israeli communities near the border, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking 251 hostages including children into Gaza, according to Israeli figures. Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground war in Gaza since then, according to Gaza health officials, who do not say how many were militants but have said most of those killed have been women and children. Hamas has accepted a proposal put forward by Arab mediators for a 60-day ceasefire that would involve releasing some of the remaining hostages and freeing Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The Israeli government, which has said all the 50 remaining hostages must be released at once, is studying the proposal. Israeli authorities believe that 20 hostages are still alive. Many Gazans and foreign leaders fear a storming of Gaza City would cause significant casualties. Israeli officials said evacuation orders will be issued to Palestinians before any force moves in, but the new offence is expected to displace hundreds and thousands of Gazans who are already battling a severe hunger crisis amid a strain on the health system, water supply and aid. In a joint statement, UN agencies and NGOs said: "The Israeli plan to intensify military operations in Gaza City will have a horrific humanitarian impact on people already exhausted, malnourished, bereaved, displaced, and deprived of basics needed for survival". "Forcing hundreds of thousands to move south is a recipe for further disaster and could amount to forcible transfer," they added. They also said the areas of the south where displaced residents were expected to evacuate were "overcrowded and ill-equipped to sustain human survival at scale". The UN stressed aid across Gaza remains far from sufficient due to Israeli restrictions, adding it requires unimpeded humanitarian access across the devastated enclave. With Reuters

Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable
Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable

Sydney Morning Herald

timean hour ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable

Latest posts Latest posts 6.53am Macron responds as Israel readies Gaza assault By David Crowe French President Emmanuel Macron has hit back at a furious attack from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a decision to recognise a Palestinian state, deepening a dispute with parallels to an argument between Israel and Australia. Macron accused Netanyahu of a 'manipulation' of the facts in the Israeli leader's claim this week that the French president had fuelled antisemitism with his decision on Palestinian statehood. The assertive response followed a blistering letter from Netanyahu to Macron last Sunday, released to the media, that blamed the French president for the 'appeasement' of Hamas and suggested that history would not forgive him. 'Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent. It retreats when leaders ac,' Netanyahu said to Macron. 6.49am Trump urges Federal Reserve governor to quit President Donald Trump called on Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to resign after a staunch ally called for an investigation of the board member's mortgages, intensifying his campaign on the central bank. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Cook over a pair of mortgages, the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to increase legal scrutiny of Democratic figures and appointees. Cook was nominated to the Fed by former President Joe Biden. Trump said Wednesday that Cook 'must resign now,' citing Pulte's allegations, while the FHFA head posted on social media that the accusations give Trump 'cause to fire' her. Bloomberg, AP 6.43am What's making news today By Daniel Lo Surdo Hello and welcome to the national news blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning. Here's what is making news today: Israel has announced the first steps to take over Gaza City after calling up 60,000 military reservists to support the expanded operation. The new phase of operations is expected to occur in some of Gaza's most densely populated areas, and comes after French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Benjamin Netanyahu following the Israeli leader's claim that Macron had fuelled antisemitism by announcing France's imminent recognition of Palestine. Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable will enter its final day this morning, after a group of government, business and union leaders discussed tangible measures to improve Australia's lagging productivity levels on Wednesday. Today's discussions will focus on improving budget sustainability and tax reform, with Chalmers expected to deliver his closing remarks this afternoon. Health Minister Mark Butler has defended his plan to divert children with autism or developmental delay from the National Disability Insurance Scheme from mid-2027, insisting that these children won't be left out as they're enrolled in a new 'Thriving Kids' support scheme. Butler announced the changes in a National Press Club address on Wednesday as part of measures to rein in NDIS spending.

Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable
Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable

The Age

timean hour ago

  • The Age

Australia news LIVE: Israel calls on 60,000 reservists for full Gaza offensive; Tax reform to be discussed on final day of roundtable

Latest posts Latest posts 6.53am Macron responds as Israel readies Gaza assault By David Crowe French President Emmanuel Macron has hit back at a furious attack from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a decision to recognise a Palestinian state, deepening a dispute with parallels to an argument between Israel and Australia. Macron accused Netanyahu of a 'manipulation' of the facts in the Israeli leader's claim this week that the French president had fuelled antisemitism with his decision on Palestinian statehood. The assertive response followed a blistering letter from Netanyahu to Macron last Sunday, released to the media, that blamed the French president for the 'appeasement' of Hamas and suggested that history would not forgive him. 'Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent. It retreats when leaders ac,' Netanyahu said to Macron. 6.49am Trump urges Federal Reserve governor to quit President Donald Trump called on Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to resign after a staunch ally called for an investigation of the board member's mortgages, intensifying his campaign on the central bank. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Cook over a pair of mortgages, the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to increase legal scrutiny of Democratic figures and appointees. Cook was nominated to the Fed by former President Joe Biden. Trump said Wednesday that Cook 'must resign now,' citing Pulte's allegations, while the FHFA head posted on social media that the accusations give Trump 'cause to fire' her. Bloomberg, AP 6.43am What's making news today By Daniel Lo Surdo Hello and welcome to the national news blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning. Here's what is making news today: Israel has announced the first steps to take over Gaza City after calling up 60,000 military reservists to support the expanded operation. The new phase of operations is expected to occur in some of Gaza's most densely populated areas, and comes after French President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Benjamin Netanyahu following the Israeli leader's claim that Macron had fuelled antisemitism by announcing France's imminent recognition of Palestine. Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic reform roundtable will enter its final day this morning, after a group of government, business and union leaders discussed tangible measures to improve Australia's lagging productivity levels on Wednesday. Today's discussions will focus on improving budget sustainability and tax reform, with Chalmers expected to deliver his closing remarks this afternoon. Health Minister Mark Butler has defended his plan to divert children with autism or developmental delay from the National Disability Insurance Scheme from mid-2027, insisting that these children won't be left out as they're enrolled in a new 'Thriving Kids' support scheme. Butler announced the changes in a National Press Club address on Wednesday as part of measures to rein in NDIS spending.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store