Sydneysiders protest Israeli bombing

Thousands of people have clogged central Sydney streets in a protest against the
Israeli bombing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
What started as a peaceful rally of a few hundred people at Town Hall at 4.30pm
(AEDT) on Monday became a march to Martin Place and the US Consulate that spanned at
least three city blocks.
Chants of "Shame Shame USA" and "Shame Shame Israel" caused holiday shoppers to
stop, watch and, in some cases, join the march.
Rush-hour traffic was reduced to a standstill while a strong police contingent
guided the protesters to Martin Place.
The marchers were protesting against Israel's massive air offensive on the
Hamas-ruled territory which has claimed the lives of more than 300 people and
injured another 1,000 since Saturday.
The protesters also chanted "Free Free Palestine - Stop killing innocents" and
"Israel, USA, how many children have you killed today".
A number of Islamic organisations in Australia have denounced Israel's actions, some
calling on the Australian government to oppose the military assault.
Australian Democrat MP Sandra Kanck has called on the federal government to strongly
condemn Israel's attack on Gaza.
Ms Kanck, who will retire next month from the South Australian Upper House, said
Australia should speak out against the violence that has killed about 300
Palestinians and injured more than 1,000.
"Shelling mosques, hospitals and universities is simply not kosher and Australia
should be firmly stating that to Israel," she said on Monday.
"Over the past two years Israel, with its blockade, has been slowly strangling Gaza.
"Because of the blockade, the lack of medical supplies will ensure that many of the
injured Palestinians will not survive.
"Australia must speak out strongly with a message that we care about international
human rights."
On Sunday, Israel widened its deadliest-ever air offensive against Gaza's Hamas
rulers, pounding smuggling tunnels and a central prison, sending more tanks and
artillery toward the Gaza border and approving a reserves call-up for a possible
ground invasion.
Israeli leaders said they would press ahead with the Gaza campaign, despite enraged
protests across the Arab world and Syria's decision to break off indirect peace
talks with the Jewish state.
Israel's foreign minister said the goal was to halt Gaza rocket fire on Israel for
good but not to reoccupy the territory.
Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Sunday urged the Israelis and Hamas to
reinstate their truce and stop the violence.
"We are calling on Hamas and other militants to cease shelling southern Israel," she
told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday.
"Obviously, they have broken the ceasefire and engaged in an act of aggression
against Israel.
"Israel has responded. We are echoing the calls from around the world for parties to
move back to a ceasefire."