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October 6, 2025
Anti-Israel activists are set to gather in Bankstown to honour "resistance" on the two-year anniversary of terrorist group Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, in what critics have said would be a "celebration and glorification" of the "atrocities".
It comes amid fears of a repeat Sydney Opera House protest in the days following the anniversary of the deadliest single-day attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
Stand4Palestine Australia, linked with fundamentalist Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir, shared details of a "Glory to our Martyrs" protest on its social media channels on Sunday, scheduled for October 7 in southwest Sydney.
"Confronting two years of genocide; honouring two years of resistance," the event's tagline reads.
Among its listed speakers is Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun, who on the day after the October 7 attacks, told a rally in Sydney that he was "smiling ... happy ... elated".
"It's a day of courage, it's a day of resistance, it's a day of pride, it's a day of victory," he told the crowd.
"This is the day we've been waiting for. Seventy-five years of occupation and 15 years of blockade, what yesterday happened was the first time our brothers and sisters break through the largest prison on Earth. This brings pride to the heart."
Also listed is Assala Sayara, who had previously identified herself as one of the organisers of the rally in front of the Sydney Opera House, held just two days after the terrorist attacks in 2023.
Notably, the list of the protest's supporting organisations does not include more mainstream organisations like the Lebanese Muslim Association and the Australian National Imams Council. The LMA was criticised last year for being associated with the protest on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack.
Acting opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson slammed the involvement of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils in the event.
"The only reason to glorify martyrs on the anniversary of 7 October is if you believe terrorism and the slaughter of Jews should be honoured," Senator Paterson said.
"It is deeply troubling that a peak body like the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils is collaborating with known extremists like Hizb ut-Tahrir in this sick event.
"The Albanese government should urgently condemn this event and review their charitable status and ability to accept tax-deductible donations. Celebrating terrorism should not be supported with a taxpayer subsidy."
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the event should not be allowed to take place on Tuesday.
"Let's make no mistake: this event is nothing but a celebration and glorification of Hamas's atrocities on October 7," Mr Leibler said.
"Not only is it being held on the two-year anniversary of October 7, the greatest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, speakers have openly supported Hamas, publicly praised the October 7 massacre, and called for sharia law to replace democracy in Australia.
"This should send a shiver down the spine of every Australian.
"We know very clearly now what happens when this extremism goes unchecked: Jewish people are vilified, attacked, and even murdered. For the sake of our nation's social cohesion, this event should not be allowed to go ahead."
A NSW police representative said officers would work "closely with organisers and take all necessary steps to ensure the event is managed safely and lawfully".
A NSW government representative said the Labor government had been "clear and consistent that any attempt to diminish the horrific events of October 7 is wrong, entirely inappropriate and totally at odds with the values of our state".
"The violence that has unfolded in Israel and Gaza, and the broader region, since October 7 2023 has been felt by communities across NSW," the representative said.
"The people of NSW care deeply about human suffering and we all want to see the conflict end.
"For many people across our state, the violence and suffering overseas is something that directly impacts family, friends and loved ones. But we cannot let conflict abroad impact our state's social harmony and cohesion.
"It falls on us all government and community to ensure that we talk and listen to each other, acknowledging the immense grief being felt across our society."
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke did not respond to requests to comment.
'We know very clearly now what happens when this extremism goes unchecked: Jewish people are vilified, attacked, and even murdered' Jeremy leibler Zionist Federation of Australia president