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Sydney crowd protests aid deaths

Protesters in Sydney and Canberra have condemned the deadly attack on an aid convoy bound for the blockaded Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

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Source: AAP


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Protesters in Sydney and Canberra have condemned the deadly attack on an aid convoy bound for the blockaded Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

Men, women and children from Sydney's Middle Eastern communities shouted "Is-ra-el, U-S-A, how many kids have you killed today" as they stormed the CBD's Town Hall forecourt on Tuesday evening.

The rally organised by the Social Justice Party kicked off about 5.30pm (AEST) to protest Monday's deaths in the Middle East.

Four Australians are in Israeli detention after attempting to travel with an aid flotilla to Gaza, while a fifth is being treated in hospital for a gunshot wound.

At least nine people died when Israeli forces stormed the aid ships on Monday, sparking global criticism.

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Police from the riot order squad watched from the perimeter as people shouted during the proceedings.

A spokeswoman for the Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine spoke first to the crowd by acknowledging the traditional Aboriginal landowners of the site.

"We must also remember the people of Palestine are facing dispossession of their land," the spokeswoman said. She also asked the crowd to observe one minute's silence over Monday's events.

"We are remembering that people died yesterday (Monday)," the spokeswoman said.

There are conflicting accounts of what happened on Monday when Israeli commandos raided the aid ships bound for Gaza.

Activists claim the Israelis opened fire without provocation while Israel claims its forces fired in self-defence.

Social Justice is protesting what it calls "Israel's illegal hijacking, attack and murder of humanitarian activists".

Protesters target Israeli embassy

About 70 people gathered on the lawns outside the embassy in Canberra this evening and candles were placed around a banner that reads "End the occupation now!".

Protester Mahmoud Abujafar, who was born in the West Bank but now lives in Canberra, said he was feeling "very sad and upset" about the deaths of at least nine people in the attack.

"People came to help us, the people in Gaza, and they were killed," he told AAP.

"I have been thinking about it all day, feeling for the dead."


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