Sydney Protest Sparks Arrest Over Alleged Display of Hezbollah Flag

[Social Media]

 

A 19-year-old woman was arrested in Sydney after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a pro-Palestine and Lebanon rally held over the weekend. The New South Wales police confirmed that her arrest was part of "Operation Shelter," a police initiative created last year to oversee protest activities related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia Islamist political and militant organization, has been officially designated a terrorist group by the Australian government since 2021.

Happening right now in Sydney.

Here people are showing solidarity for Hezbollah. No one should be mourning the elimination of Nasrallah.

pic.twitter.com/C67OmUxmTs

— Princess Jew (@PrincessJewess) September 29, 2024

 

The arrest comes amid heightened tensions in Australia regarding public protests and the display of symbols tied to designated terrorist organizations. On Tuesday night, NSW police announced their intent to block two upcoming rallies planned for Sunday and Monday. The Monday rally coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, further intensifying the scrutiny around these events.

Today, in the heart of multicultural Sydney, we saw open support for Hezbollah, a jihadist death cult, a proscribed terrorist organisation. And, what makes it worse, is that this took place on Anglican church property. It's time to stop allowing Jihadist jew haters to have free… pic.twitter.com/T7GXsLtn3p

— mark leach (@markleach) September 29, 2024

 

Amal Naser, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Action Group, criticized the police’s efforts to stop the protests, accusing them of trying to stifle the group's message. Naser indicated that the organizers plan to legally challenge any potential ban on their rallies. "Victoria police respects the right for peaceful protest, however, any unlawful behavior will not be tolerated," said a statement from the police force.

 

Though protests are generally allowed in Victoria, the authorities are maintaining a firm stance on unlawful actions. "Victoria police does not have the power to deny a protest from occurring, so long as it is lawful. There is no permit system for protests in Victoria," the force reiterated.

 

The display of Hezbollah flags during the weekend protests has drawn further attention from both state and federal law enforcement agencies. Politicians and officials are now debating whether existing laws that prohibit the display of symbols linked to terrorist groups should be strengthened to address incidents like these.

 

 

Based on a report from: The Guardian | Sky | X  2024-10-03