People in power across the world hesitate before uttering the word genocide. They even apologize if they say it by mistake. – Omar Ashour 13 April 2025.
Religious groups such as the Anglican and Protestant churches, Roman Catholics, Jewish and Muslim groups in Brisbane paid little or no part in the early days of the Palm Sunday Peace rally tradition* in Brisbane. Of course there were notable exceptions for example Concerned Christians (1970s & 80s), the Uniting Church and the St Mary’s Church (2000s) collective. Since the Howard government, the focus has been upon refugees. And under Albanese, it has turned to the genocide in Gaza, some all of the above participate, but NOT the religions institutions themselves.
On 13 April 2025, Omar Ashour, a Palestinian Muslim from Gaza spoke to Christians (and others) about Palestine at Palm Sunday Peace rally in Brisbane Magan-djin. The Peace rally centers on the plight of Palestinians, with Remah Naji, a Palestinian Greens candidate for Moreton, emphasised the need for solidarity with both First Nations people and Palestinians. Remah condemned imperialism and weapons manufacturing, and highlighted the suffering of Palestinian children during the genocide.
Omar Ashour, formerly president of Falesteen, a community organisation, condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and our inaction. Omar cites the bombing of al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital and called for international accountability for Israel and for the United States for providing the bombs. The speaker drew parallels to historical struggles of Jesus Christ in the Temple against the religious authorities, the moneymen and Roman emperor, Ceasar. Omar urges moral conviction and direct action to support Palestinians against Israel’s oppressive genocide against his people in Gaza. Omar underscores the humanitarian crisis and the need for global intervention.
*The Palm Sunday Peace rally was begun in Brisbane Magandjin in the 1970s as opposition to war and in opposition to mining an export of uranium. They opposed weapons of mass destruction. The sponsor of the rally included Queensland Labor Senator George Georges and the Uniting Church. It is currently organised by Just Peace and IPAN with co-sponsorship by Justice for Palestine Magand-jin.
Ian Curr
14 April 2025
The annual Palm Sunday Peace rally in 2026, lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes (too long). The crowd fluctuated between 500 and a 1,000 people. Many came but a smaller number (450) went on the march.
We saw Palestinians, Lebanese, Iranians as well as Christians and the Left, first nations people, young and old at the rally.
There was a large turnout of Iranians and Lebanese this year. We heard what the Iranian speakers said. It was no different to what the Latin Americans have been saying for years, what Cubans have said, as well as El Salvadorians, Chileans, Sudanese, Venezuelans, indigenous Mayans, Pipils, Mapuche, and so on.
All victims of settler colonialism.
We do know what was there in front of our face, we recognize global refugees. We engage with them.
It is really really very frustrating … the words and yet no action from government. It makes us angry. But we must not convert that anger into despair.
We must not give governments permission to tell people to look away from the genocide and to focus on anti-semitism and social cohesion. No peace without justice.
Ian Curr
2 April 2026
It is unbelievable the total silence from our two main political parties and for that matter most of the western governments.
I cannot comprehend how they can be so evil. They suppress masses of their constituents who attempt to protest.
It’s obvious that donations from the Israeli lobbyists takes precedence of human life.