Australia: MPs clash with pro-Palestinian protesters over Gaza war

From J Wire

State MPs have clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters at Queensland parliament after holding up “condemn Hamas” signs.

Hundreds had gathered outside parliament on Thursday in a rally against the Gaza conflict, before they were approached by Robbie Katter and Nick Dametto of Katter’s Australia Party.

The rally was briefly interrupted when the MPs stood at a fence outside parliament holding up the signs at the protesters, sparking fiery scenes.

Protesters flocked to the fence shouting “shame” at the MPs.

One person grabbed the sign from Mr Dametto before scrunching it up and throwing it away.

Mr Katter and Mr Dametto were ushered back into parliament by police following the encounter, but protesters remained at the fence screaming.

The pair claimed the demonstrators were aggressive after they went out to present an alternative view.

“We’re just sick and tired of having one side of the debate being self-righteously shutting down traffic and saying they know everything about this Middle East,” Mr Katter said.

“We should be allowed to have alternative views on things but these people are completely intolerant of anyone else having another view from them, and were acting like lunatics out there.”