A Fractious Moment in Sydney: Demonstrators Chant “Pack Your Bags, Leave Our Lands” Under the Taliban Flag
A Sydney protest escalated as Taliban flags and anti-Australian chants were seen. Footage and political fallout raise concerns about extremism in public demonstrations.
NewsSutra
Sydney, August 3, 2025 — A pro-Palestinian protest that drew tens of thousands to the Sydney Harbour Bridge took a disturbing turn Sunday as a small group of demonstrators waved Taliban and ISIS flags while chanting, “Pack your bags, leave our lands.” The provocative moment, caught on camera and widely circulated online, has ignited national debate over extremist infiltration in otherwise lawful protests.
The mass gathering, permitted less than 24 hours prior by the NSW Supreme Court, was organized by the Palestine Action Group to denounce Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. While the majority of protestors marched peacefully, images and videos show a faction within the crowd carrying extremist flags and shouting messages interpreted as hostile toward Australian citizens.
What the Footage Shows
Eyewitness videos and live coverage from the rally showed masked individuals carrying flags associated with the Taliban and ISIS, alongside a black banner reading “Death to the IDF.” In one clip, men dressed in dark robes can be seen repeatedly chanting in unison: “Pack your bags, leave our lands.”
The footage was first published by i24NEWS, which reported that the individuals also burned Australian flags and carried posters of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While these scenes represented only a minority of attendees, they have become the defining imagery from the event.
Peaceful Protest Overshadowed
Despite the escalation, New South Wales Police stated there were no arrests made during the event, although they were forced to redirect foot traffic due to overcrowding risks on the bridge.
According to The Guardian’s live reporting, the broader protest drew up to 90,000 participants. Many carried signs demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, waved Palestinian flags, and called for international accountability regarding civilian casualties.
However, the presence of extremist imagery shifted the focus away from humanitarian messages and raised questions about protest policing and ideological boundaries.
Backlash from Political and Community Leaders
The scenes prompted a fierce response from Australian politicians across the spectrum. Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton called for a full investigation into how the flags entered the protest space. “Carrying the Taliban flag in Australia is not protest—it’s provocation,” Dutton said in a press statement.
Jewish advocacy groups, including the Zionist Federation of Australia, issued immediate condemnation. ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said the display of Taliban and ISIS flags “crosses every line of decency” and serves to intimidate Jewish Australians and immigrants who fled Islamist regimes.
A more detailed breakdown of antisemitic imagery at the event was published by News.com.au, which highlighted signs comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and called into question the motivations of certain demonstrators.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
Civil liberties groups have defended the legal right to protest but acknowledged the need for better monitoring. “A line must be drawn between legitimate dissent and hate speech,” said Dr. Amira Salim, a Sydney-based human rights lawyer. “Flags associated with recognized terror organizations have no place in civil society.”
Meanwhile, members of the Muslim community have voiced concern that such incidents risk unfairly stigmatizing peaceful protesters and the broader Islamic population. Imam Khalid Mohsin of Auburn Mosque stated, “We must be vigilant that extremist elements do not hijack just causes and misrepresent our faith.”
What Happens Next?
While legal experts debate the implications of allowing such flags at public demonstrations, one point remains clear: the display of Taliban and ISIS symbols on Australian soil, coupled with hostile chants, has struck a nerve across the nation. The federal government is reportedly reviewing legal mechanisms to ban the public display of terrorist group flags under national security laws.
In the days to come, the debate over protest boundaries, free expression, and social cohesion is expected to intensify, with Parliament likely to face growing calls for a legislative response.
