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Australian Mosque Protesters Heckle PM Albanese Over Israel Stance
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 20, 2026
Quick Summary
During Eid al‑Fitr prayers at Sydney’s Lakemba Mosque on March 20, Prime Minister Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke were heckled by protesters criticizing Australia’s position on Israel’s Gaza offensive, with some calling them “genocide supporters”.
Australian mosque protesters heckle PM Albanese over Israel stance
Prime Minister Albanese Faces Backlash During Mosque Visit
By Christine Chen
Protests Erupt at Lakemba Mosque
SYDNEY, March 20 (Reuters) - Protesters heckled and booed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday during a visit to Australia's largest mosque for Eid al-Fitr prayers, voicing anger over his stance on ally Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Community Reactions and Government Response
Some in Australia's Muslim and Jewish communities are angry over a fine line walked by the centre-left government since the Gaza war began, expressing concern for Palestinians, repeatedly urging a ceasefire, and backing Israel's right to self-defence.
Incident Details and Crowd Management
Video images showed protesters interrupting proceedings about 15 minutes after Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke joined worshippers at Lakemba Mosque in western Sydney to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Demonstrators booed, told Albanese and Burke to "Get out!" and called them "genocide supporters", referring to Israel's killing of Palestinians in Gaza, following an attack by Hamas militants in 2023.
"Dear brothers and sisters, keep calm a little bit," one of the organisers told the crowd, urging people to sit down and stop filming the exchange. "It is Eid. It is a joyful day."
A security guard was seen tackling one heckler to the ground before escorting him away.
"Shame on you!" yelled protesters who followed Albanese and Burke when they left.
Albanese's Remarks After the Incident
The mosque event was "incredibly positive", Albanese said later, despite the incident.
"If you got a couple of people heckling in a crowd of 30,000, that should be put in that perspective," he told reporters, adding that the community had dealt with a couple of hecklers.
He added that some frustration stemmed from the government's designation this month of Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group on the basis of laws prompted by a deadly mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14.
Previous Protests and Wider Community Tensions
Protesters also turned out in February, when Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited at Albanese's invitation to express solidarity with Jewish Australians allegedly targeted by gunmen inspired by Islamic State during the Bondi attack.
Thousands attended a rally in Sydney, where 27 people were arrested after clashes with police.
(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Key Takeaways
- •The incident reflected growing frustration within Australia’s Muslim community over the government’s balanced—but contested—stance supporting both a ceasefire and Israel’s right to self‑defence.
- •The protest follows broader national tensions: Australia has seen surges in both Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents since the Gaza war began, prompting government efforts to address hate crimes and interfaith relations.
- •This episode underscores the challenge facing PM Albanese in navigating a polarized public mood at home while maintaining Australia’s diplomatic posture, including recognition of a Palestinian state and condemnation of aid restrictions in Gaza.
Frequently Asked Questions about Australian mosque protesters heckle PM Albanese over Israel stance
1Why did protesters heckle Prime Minister Albanese at Lakemba Mosque?
Protesters voiced anger at Albanese's stance on Israel's offensive in Gaza during Eid al-Fitr prayers.
2What triggered the demonstrations during the mosque visit?
Demonstrators were upset over the government's support for both a ceasefire and Israel's right to self-defence.
3How did security respond to the protest at the mosque?
Security guards tackled one heckler to the ground and escorted him away, after which Albanese and Burke left.
4Were there previous protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict in Australia?
Yes, large protests also occurred during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit, with many rallying in Sydney.
5What was the crowd's reaction to government officials at the mosque?
Protesters booed, demanded they leave, and accused them of supporting genocide in Gaza.
