Palestinians and solidarity activists congregated at the steps of the State Library in Melbourne for the 70 year commemoration of their Nakba.
The Nakba is, for Palestinians, the catastrophe, the year when they allege the Israeli state forcibly expelled three quarters of the Palestinian population from their villages and homes. According to their narrative they claim this was one of the first acts in an ongoing process of ethnic cleansing and dispossession of Palestinians from their lands.
After a number of inciteful, vitriolic speeches the demonstrators went for a march around the block before returning to hear more before adjourning to go to Trades Hall where they were holding a public panel discussion.
A small contingent of pro-Israel supporters standing under the banner of the Australian Liberty Alliance turned up to oppose the pro-Palestinians.
JMedia was videoing what transpired and encourage you to listen to what was said. A YouTube playlist of 6 videos have been produced that cover various aspects of this event.