Naksa Rally

Michael Johnstone

2–3 minutes

On Sunday 7th June 2026 a rally of approximately a thousand protesters marched through the streets of Naarm, Australia to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Palestinian Naksa. The Naksa (which translates from Arabic to ‘the setback’) was the result of Israel hostility in the region culminating in the ‘six day war’ in 1967.

During the conflict the state of Israel stole lands from its neighbours in the Golan Heights and the West Bank. This action displaced up to 325,000 Palestinians, many of whom were made refugees during the Nakba in 1948.

Protesters placed posters across the stairs of the State Library of Victoria along with a display in rememberance of the the children killed by US and Israel missile strikes. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

A protester sits quietly on the base of the statue on the stairs of the State Library of Victoria. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Protesters gathered on the steps of the State Library of Victoria as speeches were given in front of a large Palestinian flag. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Protester holds a sign (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Protesters hold a banner and signs while speeches were given (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Protester holds sign with Naarm/Melbournes capital reaches for the sky in the background (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Protesters in the middle of lively conversation during the rally (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Protester takes a phone call while the crowd chants and walks down Swanston St in the CBD (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Drums of different sizes were used during the rally (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Some protestors dressed as prisoners in solidarity with the flotilla activists who were kidnapped in international waters and allege abuses at the hands of the Israeli government. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

The protesters make their way up Elizabeth St (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

A Palestinian flag seen reflected in the rear window of a car (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

The public looks on from the pedestrian overpass on Lonsdale St in the CBD (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

A commuter looks on as their tram passes the protest (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

A protester dressed in solidarity with foltilla prisoners holds a Free Marwan sign (Photo: Michael Johnstone)

Other photographers on Instagram who covered the event:

@swakey1, @adamantly_human, @nawal.photography23, @kwardphotog

If you were there and aren’t listed get in touch with me on Instagram @smallwhenfar

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work; the Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin nation. we pay respects to elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded, this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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