Chris Minns urged colleagues to stay away from events in Sydney and Wollongong.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said he could not guarantee that Labor MPs would stay away from two pro-Palestinian vigils planned in Sydney and Wollongong on Oct. 7. He urged colleagues not to attend and called the timing “heartless”, but acknowledged that he could not ban lawful events.
Jews Against the Occupation 48 is organising the Sydney vigil, while Wollongong Friends of Palestine plans the event in Wollongong. Organisers used the slogan “Don’t let Israel steal the date” and said they wanted to remember people who had died and suffered. NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane called the events provocative and urged Minns to keep Labor MPs away.
Labor MP Anthony D’Adam said he would not attend and considered the vigils unnecessary. He condemned the Oct. 7, 2023 attack but said it did not justify Israel’s actions. D’Adam also said he did not support restricting the right to protest.