The war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas governing the occupied Gaza strip is having a ripple effect across the globe, including multicultural Australia.
Hamas militants attacked Israel a week ago, killing more than 1000 people and taking hostages, in an escalation of the 75-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict, that has since seen Israel retaliate with devastating strikes on Gaza.
The act of brazen terror by Hamas included war crimes such as the killing of 260 young festival goers, execution of old and young, rapes and mutilations.
Western nations and allies have condemned the attack by Hamas, including Australia and Greece.
In Australia, landmarks were lit up in blue and white this week, in solidarity with Israel. In response pro-Palestine rallies also took place, including one on Monday night at the Sydney Opera House that saw attendees chant anti-Jewish slurs and setting off flares.
Many state and federal politicians and Jewish community groups condemned the rally, including prime minister Anthony Albanese who called the chanting unacceptable on Seven’s Sunrise program on Friday.

“Anti-Semitism has no place in this country, nor does Islamophobia, nor does racism,” he said.
“When people break the law, police should take action.”
Meanwhile opposition leader Peter Dutton has called for non-citizens who preach anti-Semitic speech to be deported.
The Palestinian Action Group responded describing Dutton’s comments as “a shocking attack on democratic rights” and saying that “people have a right to protest against war crimes and apartheid policies of the Israeli state.”
Despite the backlash, rallies will continue across Australia this weekend, with protest plans for Canberra, Perth and Brisbane on Friday and Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide over the weekend.
It has become an uneasy time for the Jewish and Palestinian communities, and the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (EECV) has thrown its support towards both.
The recent tragic events in the Israeli-Hamas conflict have shaken all of us and incensed fear and anxiety in both the Jewish and Palestinian communities in Victoria.

EECV CEO Mohamed Elrafihi has condemned the violence and shown his support to both sides, in an effort to retain Victoria’s inclusive multiculturalism.
“It’s imperative that we unequivocally denounce all forms of violence. This attack from terrorist organisation Hamas, has led to suffering and the loss of innocent civilian lives on both sides and wide-scale devastation,” he said in a statement supplied to Neos Kosmos.
“During times like these, it’s crucial that we stand united in support of the communities affected by these events, demonstrating empathy, compassion, and mutual respect.
“We must always remember that our local Jewish and Palestinian communities bear no responsibility for the actions of foreign governments and extremist groups.”
He also calls for a two-state solution, that will recognise “the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians, is an essential step toward peace.”
On the warfront, many people are looking to return to their home countries, with the Australian government set to send two planes in the next 24 hours to pick up hundreds of Australian citizens.
The prime minister says 1600 people have registered in Israel or the West Bank for repatriation.
Reuters reports that Cyprus has become a sanctuary for more than 2,500 Israelis, with Larnaca being just a 40-minute flight from Israel.
Meanwhile, Greece too has become a spot for escapees according to CBC, with Canadian flights shuttling its stranded citizens from Tel Aviv to Athens.
Greeks in Israel have also been returning home, with at least 90 Greek citizens repatriated according to the foreign ministry.