The Sydney Opera House is being criticized for its low-key efforts to light up the building in tribute to civilians massacred in Israel by Palestinian terrorists, compared to what has been done in Melbourne and other countries.
International icons such as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the German capital, were brilliantly lit by the blue and white Star of David of the Israeli flag.
But Australia’s best-known building was much more subdued, not only compared to foreign tributes, but also compared to previous displays for events such as Australia Day and the Queen’s death.
The Opera House’s blue and white display on Monday night was so boring it was barely visible, with one witness at the scene telling Daily Mail Australia he didn’t even notice it.
“They kept all the protesters behind a human wall of over 100 police officers and then had to light it on the other side,” he said.
The Sydney Opera House (pictured) is being criticized for its “half-hearted” efforts to light the building in tribute to civilians massacred in Israel by Palestinian terrorists, compared to what has been done in other countries.
The Brandenburg Gate is illuminated in the colors of the Israeli flag as a sign of solidarity, in Berlin, Germany, October 7, 2023.
Flinders Street Station in Melbourne is lit up in blue and white in support of Israel on October 9, 2023
One person commenting on Twitter wrote that “a large rally was held in the Sydney CBD in support of Palestine and the Prime Minister urged Jewish citizens to avoid the city center for their own safety. »
“It’s unfathomable, but it explains the lighting in the Opera.”
Another wrote that the Sydney icon’s effort was “s**p!” Get proper blue lights NSW.
Sky News commentator Rita Panahi tweeted that “Jews were not safe at Sydney’s most famous landmark this evening. They couldn’t cry at the Opera House because its sails were lit up in the colors of the Israeli flag.
“What was supposed to be a show of solidarity turned into this,” she added, above a video of Palestinian demonstrators chanting “F*** the Jews” in front of the Opera House.
Another commenter said it was “completely despicable anti-Semitic hatred, I can’t believe we are seeing this on the streets of Sydney”.
Others have said the Opera House sails should not be lit up for any reason, but it has long existed to mark events such as Australian sporting successes and even international celebrations such as Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day.
NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong was one of those who opposed the Opera House being used to show solidarity with Israel, and also attacked Defense Minister Richard Marles, who called the attacks “unprovoked.”
“Unprovoked?!” This is a shameful statement from Defense Minister Richard Marles. It is also appalling that tonight the Opera House is lit up in support of Israel – what about all the Palestinian lives lost since the occupation? Ms Leong wrote.
There is a long history of the Opera House being lit up to mark events such as the death of the Queen (pictured).
The Opera House was also lit up in the colors of the French flag on November 14, 2015, as Australians expressed solidarity with France following a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks that left 128 people dead and 180 injured in Paris on November 13 .
On June 25, 2020, lights depicting footballer Sam Kerr were projected onto the Sydney Opera House as Australia and New Zealand were about to be announced as hosts of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Victorian Arts Center in Melbourne is lit up in blue and white in support of Israel, October 9, 2023.
The Melbourne-based National Gallery of Australia is lit up in blue and white in support of Israel on Monday evening
The Australian Jewish Association tweeted its anger at the dim lighting, saying: “Why isn’t the Opera House lit? Has the government given in to the Muslim mob? Surely not.’
Another commentator said what happened over the weekend was “the biggest massacre of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust and a crowd in Sydney celebrated by burning Israeli flags on the steps of Sydney Opera “.
Others predict an escalation of tensions in the future. “In Sydney, Australia, Hamas protesters fire flares at the iconic Opera House.
“They would shoot rockets at it if they could, and one day they will. Fortunately the police arrested this dangerous man with the Israeli flag,” one of them said.
Pro-Palestinian protesters are seen outside the Sydney Opera House on Monday evening
NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong objected to the Opera House being used to show solidarity with Israel, in response to a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (pictured)
Independent MP Allegra Spender, who represents an electorate that includes a large number of Jewish voters, tweeted that “the scenes and singing outside the Opera House last night are abhorrent.
“At a time when there should be solidarity with our Jewish community, they were subjected to appalling abuse. I am urgently seeking an explanation as to how this could have happened.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Opera House for comment.
