Thousands of protesters took to the streets of central Melbourne on Saturday in a large-scale demonstration in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza, condemning Israel’s ongoing military operations and calling for the country’s exclusion from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

Carrying Palestinian flags and banners, marchers chanted slogans demanding an immediate ceasefire and accountability for what demonstrators described as mass civilian suffering and widespread destruction in Gaza. The crowd repeatedly accused the international community of remaining silent amid the escalating humanitarian crisis.

A central grievance of the rally was the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to permit Israel to participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Protesters argued that allowing Israel on such a prominent cultural stage “normalizes” and “legitimizes” the actions of what they called the “occupying regime,” and drew parallels to past cultural boycotts imposed on apartheid-era South Africa.

“The EBU and European institutions must reverse this decision and exclude Israel from the competition,” one speaker told the crowd. “International cultural platforms should not be used to whitewash alleged war crimes.”

Organizers said attendance swelled to more than a thousand people as the march progressed through the city’s central business district, temporarily disrupting traffic on major streets. Victoria Police maintained a heavy but low-key presence and reported the demonstration remained largely peaceful. No major arrests or injuries were recorded. A small counter-protest appeared briefly but was kept separated from the main rally by officers.

Saturday’s action in Melbourne is part of a global wave of protests in recent weeks, with similar large demonstrations held in London, Paris, Istanbul, Jakarta, Cape Town, and other cities. Activists worldwide have intensified pressure on governments, cultural bodies, and international organizations to impose sanctions and enforce stronger measures over the war in Gaza.

Local organizers vowed to continue the campaign, announcing plans for further rallies and coordinated boycott actions in the coming weeks.

“We will keep the spotlight on Gaza until a permanent ceasefire is achieved and accountability and justice are secured,” a spokesperson for the protest told reporters as the crowd began to disperse. (ILKHA)