Sydney 'Glory to Our Martyrs' Event on October 7 Anniversary Draws Widespread Condemnation

Controversial Event Planned for October 7 Anniversary

A planned pro-Palestinian event titled 'Glory to Our Martyrs' in Sydney's Bankstown suburb on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, has ignited widespread condemnation across Australia. The event, organized by the Stand for Palestine Australia group, coincides with the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 251 hostages. Critics argue that the timing and nature of the event are deeply insensitive and risk glorifying acts of terrorism.

Political Leaders Denounce Timing and Message

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns was among the first to voice strong disapproval, describing the event as 'shockingly insensitive' and stating that it appeared to 'glorify the actions of these Hamas terrorists, and not the circumstance of those that are living in Gaza.' Premier Minns emphasized that holding such an event on this date could deeply offend those mourning the victims of the 2023 attacks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, cautioning that any protest events held on October 7 would 'undermine' support for the 'Palestinian cause' and urged Australians to respect the solemnity of the occasion. The Prime Minister further condemned other related incidents, such as a 'Glory to Hamas' message on a billboard and 'Oct 7, Do it Again' graffiti in Melbourne, calling them 'abhorrent' and 'terrorist propaganda.'

Senator James Paterson echoed these sentiments, asserting that the event should not be permitted and is 'nothing but a celebration and glorification of Hamas's atrocities on October 7.' The Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler also expressed similar concerns.

Organizers and Speakers Defend the Gathering

Despite the widespread criticism, organizers and scheduled speakers have defended the event. The tagline for the gathering is 'Confronting two years of genocide; honouring two years of resistance.' Palestinian activist lawyer Ramia Abdo Sultan, a scheduled speaker, defended the event in a video, stating that Palestinians have been 'silenced and denied the right to grieve their losses.' She also criticized Australian leaders for allegedly disregarding the 'thousands of Palestinians that have died over the past two years' due to Israel's military strikes, which have reportedly killed over 67,000 Palestinians and displaced the majority of Gaza's 2.2 million residents. Another listed speaker, Sheikh Ibrahim Dadoun, had previously expressed elation following the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Broader Context and Related Protests

The controversy surrounding the Bankstown event comes amidst ongoing tensions and other planned demonstrations. Pro-Palestine protests have been a regular occurrence in major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne since the conflict began. Another rally is reportedly planned at the Sydney Opera House for Sunday, October 12, 2025, which has also drawn safety concerns from Jewish organizations and police. NSW Police are actively seeking to block this Opera House protest.

The Australian government, alongside Canada and Britain, formally recognized the State of Palestine in September 2025 as part of efforts to promote a two-state solution. However, this diplomatic move has not quelled the domestic debate surrounding the timing and nature of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.