By Wasim El-Haj: Once again, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has brought Australians together—united for a common cause.
This isn’t new, but it is historic. In school, we were taught that the Sydney Harbour Bridge stood as a symbol of hope during the Great Depression, linking the North and South of the city when it opened in 1932. It was a bridge—literally and metaphorically—of unity.
On Sunday, 3rd August 2025, I witnessed that same bridge carry hundreds of thousands of people across it in solidarity with Palestine. In support of one another. In defence of our rights as citizens. That number—“hundreds of thousands”—came not from me, but from a police officer standing behind me. The Palestine Action Group organised the event brilliantly.
Even the rain couldn’t deter us.
“It’s not raining bombs like it is in Gaza,” I heard someone say, a solemn reminder of the horrific reality of Palestinians enduring Israeli-imposed starvation and relentless attacks.
The march was a beautiful display of our collective humanity. People of every age and background. Jews, Muslims, Christians, and others. Famous faces and ordinary citizens. Leaders and followers. We stood together. If Prime Minister Albanese truly seeks “social cohesion,” I suggest he attend one of these rallies. (What changed, Albanese?)
Notably absent were the Zionists—because the values we marched for are not theirs. The Sydney Harbour Bridge united us again, this time in a mission of resilience, justice, and compassion. I didn’t get the chance to walk the bridge myself—it was simply too full by the time I reached it—but I came with a purpose. And I know I made a difference. We all did.
In Gaza, photos and videos of our march have spread. People there have sent photos and videos thanking us. We may not be able to feed the starving children, but we did lift their spirits. We reminded them they are not forgotten. That we see them. That we care.
Chris Minns, our one-term Premier, tried to shut this protest down. He’s out of touch with his own electorate in Kogarah, where he continues to ignore the pain of Palestinian and Lebanese communities. His stance is indefensible and will be remembered at the next state election.
In May, Minns received a letter of thanks from the Israeli President for his unwavering support—even as the genocide in Gaza unfolded. Who, exactly, is he representing?
Thankfully, not all Labor MPs followed suit. Some stood up. They attended the rally. They posted messages in support of the right to protest and the rights of Palestinians. There is some hope.
But our government’s complicity continues. Australia has reportedly shipped components of F-35 fighter jets to Israel in the past month alone. That makes Australia complicit in the genocide.
We, the people, say: Not in our name.
When will our leaders finally listen? When will they act for the people who elected them?
Who do Minns and Albanese really represent?
Stop the lies. Cut the ties.
Palestine will be free.
About the Writer:
Wasim El-Haj is a Palestinian-Australian, born and raised in Sydney and the son of a Palestinian Nakba survivor who still dreams of returning home. He is a Careers Adviser working across both school and university sectors. In 2024, he received the Careers Advisers Association’s Careers Adviser of the Year Award for NSW & ACT.
Recently, Wasim was forced out of his role in the NSW Department of Education at Sydney Girls High School following a campaign of anti-Palestinian discrimination and victimisation—for wearing a keffiyeh as a Palestinian man. His case is now before the Australian Human Rights Commission.