00:00As political leaders joined the Jewish community for a candlelit vigil last night, a pro-Palestinian
00:08rally in southwest Sydney had its own special guest.
00:13U.S. academic Khaled Beydoun condemned Israel's military action in Gaza and Lebanon and the
00:18civilian death toll, but said there were reasons to be upbeat.
00:22Today is not fully a day of mourning in many respects.
00:26Today is also a day that marks considerable celebration, considerable progress and in
00:32some respects considerable privilege.
00:34The level of global literacy around what's taking place in Palestine has exponentially
00:41risen.
00:42The rally had already been criticized by the Prime Minister over its links with fundamentalist
00:46group Hizb ut-Tahrir, but Mr. Beydoun's comments have now drawn the ire of Home Affairs Minister
00:51Tony Burke, who's asked for the academic's visa to be reviewed.
00:56Before last night's rally had even started, the New South Wales Premier criticized it,
01:00saying it was inappropriate for October 7 when the Jewish community was mourning the
01:04victims of Hamas' attack.
01:06Chris Minns says he expects the Commonwealth to act on Mr. Beydoun's visa within days.
01:11Completely unsympathetic to those that are going through a terrible day in Sydney and
01:17around the world and heartless.
01:21Jewish leaders say the speech could cause social division.
01:24These are extremely dangerous statements that have no place in civilized society.
01:29The ABC's attempted to contact Khaled Beydoun, but hasn't received a reply.
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