Australian protests Gaza genocide at court during tennis match
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A person clad in a blue shirt, cap, and face mask tosses anti-war pamphlets onto the court behind the baseline that read "Free Palestine".
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Ball kids pickup "free Palestine" leaflets thrown onto Margaret Court Arena at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 (AP)
The Margaret Court Arena of the Australian Open Court on Monday saw a protester momentarily halt the fourth-round match between German Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and Britain's Cameron Norrie.
During the sixth game of the third set, a person clad in a blue shirt, cap, and face mask tossed anti-war pamphlets onto the court behind the baseline.
The pamphlets, which read "Free Palestine" and the blurb added: "While you're watching tennis, bombs are dropping on Gaza" in black ink on white pages.
The Pamphlets caught the attention of the audience and players alike as ball kids scurried to collect and discard them off the court.
After a brief delay, the match resumed. Security promptly escorted the protester, who had made a statement against the ongoing conflict, away from the venue.
Ultimately, Zverev secured victory against Carlos Alcaraz.
Tennis Australia commended the quick response of two vigilant spectators who reported the protestor to the security.
In an official statement, organizers emphasized their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the event: "Venue security was deployed to detain the individual, and the individual was subsequently evicted from the event. Anyone seeking to disrupt the event — as we saw tonight — will be removed."
Read more: Australia's Labor MPs condemn 'Israel's' 'domination' of Palestine
Australia to deploy 'significant contingent' in the Middle East
Back in October, it was reported that Australia is deploying a "significant contingent" of troops and aircraft to the Middle East.
The deployment adds to a large number of mainly American troops that have been deployed to the Middle East following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.
The Australian Defense Minister said additional troops and two military transport planes would join the Australian Army in the region.
"We want to make sure that we’re prepared if matters do get worse," the minister said.
The Australian government did not reveal any additional information on the reason behind the deployment or the role that its troops will undertake.
Marles also warned all Australian citizens in the Middle East, urging them to leave the region as soon as possible.
