Australian Jewish leaders have called for a Sydney train worker to be sacked after a pro-Palestinian song was blasted through carriage speakers, as the Hamas-Israel conflict escalated.
Commuters were shocked to hear words of support for the pro-Palestine rally in Sydney from the train worker, with some passengers en route to the event at Town Hall on Saturday.
‘We love you all. Here’s a song for you guys,’ the driver is heard saying, through the train’s PA system.
The train driver then played Dammi Falastini, a song by Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf about his affection for Palestine.
The lyrics state: ‘Keeping my oath, following my religion/ You will find me on my land. I belong to my people, I sacrifice my soul for them/ My blood is Palestinian.’
A group of women heading to a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney on Saturday got a huge surprise on the train
Footage of the incident was posted to social media by several commuters.
‘When the train driver starts playing Dammi Falastini on the train going into the City for the Sydney protest,’ one video was captioned.
In another video, a group of women were seen bopping in their seats to the music, giving a thumbs-up and clapping.
‘The train driver made our day,’ they said.
Australian Jewish leaders have condemned the train worker.
‘If its confirmed that a Sydney train worker engaged in political advocacy on the taxpayers’ dollar, they need to be sacked,’ Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory told Daily Mail Australia.
‘After the worst massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust, some have taken to celebrating and calling for more violence.
‘Every major Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Sydney, including the one last weekend has included incitement to violence and antisemitism.
‘Sydney’s public transport is for everyone not for political activism and we call on the NSW Government to take action immediately.’
There were huge smiles when Dammi Falastini, a hit song by Palestinian pop star Mohammed Assaf began blaring through the carriage
The social media videos sparked a divisive reaction from viewers.
‘What a legend,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘Everyone should be jumping. Sydney misses the vibe check all the time.’
But not everyone was supportive.
‘What a f*****g joke,’ one viewer fumed.
Another added: ‘Turn that s**t off, it’s Australia.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Sydney Trains for comment.
It comes after a Tube driver who recently led a chant of ‘free, free Palestine’ on a London Underground train was suspended by authorities.
The incident happened on Saturday as around 100,000 protesters took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
Footage posted appeared to show the chant being led over the train’s speaker system by the Tube driver.
Several commuters shared footage after a Sydney train driver played a Palestinian song over the loudspeaker
The driver of the Central Line service said ‘free, free’ to which the passengers responded ‘Palestine’ – a popular chant at protests – leading to pressure to sack the driver.
‘A driver has now been identified and suspended whilst we continue to fully investigate the incident in line with our policies and procedures,’ Transport for London’s chief operating officer Glynn Barton said.
The pro-Palestine rallies held across Australia were among dozens held in recent weeks condemning Israel’s strong response to Hamas terror attacks.
A protester, who claims to work at an Australian Air Force base was charged last week after he allegedly used vile anti-Semitic language at a pro-Palestine rally on October 15.
The man was videoed at the demonstration in Sydney CBD’s Hyde Park repeatedly screaming ‘Allahu Akbar… Get the f***ing Jews wiped out’ until police intervened.
Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters marched through the streets of Sydney on Saturday
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk