The Israel-Hamas conflict was brought into Australia’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, which drew an estimated one million viewers. During the event, singer-songwriter Angie McMahon conveyed her political stance on the ongoing conflict by stating, “I hope you’ll all have a great night. Thanks again. Palestinians should be free.” The Australian Broadcasting Corporation hosted the show, and various performers took the stage to express their support for Palestine.
At another live music performance in Melbourne, protesters brought a Palestinian flag onstage while the singer voiced their backing for Palestine. As millions of Australians celebrated the start of 2023, demonstrators also took to the streets in Melbourne’s CBD to call for a ceasefire.
Pro-Palestinian protesters chanted slogans and carried out various actions, including entering shops and disrupting events in protest. The Australian Jewish Association criticized these actions, accusing the protestors of attempting “to ruin New Year’s Eve” and questioning the level of attention given to the matter compared to other issues.
The conflict also led to vandalism at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s office in Melbourne, where red paint was splattered and messages about the Israel-Palestine war were scrawled across the building. Video footage shared on social media showed two people vandalizing the exterior of the office with a message accusing the corporation of supporting “Israel’s propaganda campaign.”
The New Year’s Eve demonstration came after pro-Palestine protesters disrupted events, including entering Australia’s largest shopping center and a major Christmas event, both in Melbourne. These protests have sparked criticism and condemnation from various individuals, including Jewish advocate Dvir Abramovich, who expressed concern about Melbourne’s reputation as a tolerant and peaceful city being tarnished by the ongoing conflict.