Police try to prevent protest at opening of Israeli Film Festival

A New South Wales Supreme Court judge is considering whether to allow Palestinian protesters to demonstrate at the opening of this year’s Israeli Film Festival.

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Police leave court today. (SBS)

Police are trying to prevent protesters from demonstrating at the at the opening of this year’s Israeli Film Festival in Sydney on Thursday.

But Damian Ridgeway of the Palestinian Action Group said protesters have a right to be heard.

"Such an event only serves to whitewash Israel's history of dispossession of the Palestinians," Mr Ridgeway said.

In a statement, police said the protest would be a safety risk.

"The proposed time and location of this protest will cause significant disruption…cause major traffic issues and safety risks for protesters and members of the public," the statement read.

Despite the police position, Palestinian protester Wail Dahmouni told SBS the opposition would not be heated.

"We're going like peaceful," he said. "So people can hear us and support us. And they have to understand the conflict."

Israeli Film Festival Spokesman Keith Lawrence said it was unfortunate Israeli artists were being drawn into the political debate.

"People are demonstrating against their films, simply because of that particular government," he said.

"Let the films say for themselves what it is that they're saying."

The court today heard that up to 1000 people were expected to protest on opening night at Sydney's Palace Verona Theatre.

Demonstrations have also been organised for the festival in Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

Justice Peter Hidden will deliver his verdict tomorrow.


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2 min read

Published

Updated

By Julia Calixto

Source: SBS


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