Thousands join pro-Palestine protest across Sydney Harbor Bridge

China

Thousands join pro-Palestine protest across Sydney Harbor Bridge

2025-08-03 21:54 Last Updated At：23:07

Tens of thousands of Australians marched across Sydney's iconic Harbor Bridge on Sunday to protest the ongoing war and famine in Gaza.

The protest, organized by advocacy network the Palestine Action Group, went ahead on the afternoon despite heavy rain.

Thousands of protesters carrying the Palestinian flag walked north across the iconic bridge before being stopped by police due to safety concerns.

Organizers had expected around 50,000 people to attend the march, but police said Sunday that it was difficult to estimate the crowd size.

"For him to see this and to be with him, he's my best mate and we are together just to show that this is my family, this is my child - if that was my child in Gaza, I never want to dream of that situation. We are seeing it right in front of us right now and nothing is happening," Salim Moralli, a father who brought his 14-year-old son to the march, told China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The intent of the organizers and many who took part in the protest was to show support for an independent Palestinian State.

"Because it's really important to send a unified message. Disruption, genocide and starving of completely innocent people is not on. I hope that more countries especially our own recognize an independent Palestinian State," said a protester.

A simultaneous protest in Melbourne also attracted thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.