The Muslim community leader appeared on Radio National Breakfast on Wednesday morning to describe the actions of the October 7 terrorist attacks as legitimate.

“It is absolutely legitimate for the Palestinians to try to break the siege of Gaza,” Mr Salman said.

“I’m not going to condemn the Palestinians for resisting. I’m not going to condemn Palestinians for trying to break their siege on their territory.”

As well as the deaths by stabbing, shooting and burning, 253 Israelis were taken hostage on October 7, with 134 still in captivity.

After his answer, program host Patricia Karvelas went on to clarify the Islamic Council president's answer: “Sorry, I just want to be clear, October 7th, you’re saying you won’t denounce that?”

“We denounce any violence and killing of civilians. What we don’t denounce very clearly is legitimate acts of resistance,” Mr Salman answered.

“And for the Palestinians to rise up on October 7, and say, we’re no longer going to tolerate this siege, this occupation, that’s legitimate.”

Mr Salman used his radio appearance to confirm he had written to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to cancel the annual Iftar dinner next month over the trauma the community feel over Gaza.

He said he wished the Australian government would take a firmer stance than calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, and that they should take a similar approach to the Russian regime over its invasion of Ukraine.

Karvelas pushed back, saying the Russia-Ukraine war was not the same as the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“No question that the October 7 attacks have led to that response from Israel, but our point is

that what has happened since October 7, and that continues until today is a humanitarian catastrophe. And Australia needs to actually take meaningful steps to actually prevent that,” Mr Salman said.

“And I think what we’re hearing from the International Court of Justice and other bodies is that Israel is actually committing a genocide or is at risk of committing a genocide.”

You're not a teenage girl with posters on your wall love.

....the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board feels that having the NSW Police march this year could add to the distress within our communities, already deeply affected by recent events.

The Board has taken the decision to request that the Police do not march in the 2024 Parade.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board Statement on the 2024 Parade

Sydney Mardi Gras along with LGBTQIA+ communities across the country have been devastated by the loss of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were cut short last week.

Police have charged a man with their murder, a NSW Police officer who has previously participated in the Mardi Gras Parade. 

In recent days many have voiced their concerns to us, particularly regarding feelings of unease at the Parade. Their concerns centre on whether it can still be a space to protest, celebrate, and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we’ve lost, given the NSW Police’s participation in this year’s event.

Our community needs space to grieve the loss of Jesse and Luke who, before this tragedy, would have been here celebrating with us at the Festival.

In light of this, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board feels that having the NSW Police march this year could add to the distress within our communities, already deeply affected by recent events. The Board has taken the decision to request that the Police do not march in the 2024 Parade.

This decision was not made lightly, especially considering that many NSW Police members who participate in the Parade are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community and are navigating the impact of this tragedy alongside us. However, we believe that their participation at this year’s event could intensify the current feelings of sorrow and distress. 

This decision allows space for the community to heal this year and acknowledges the profound grief and strain that we are enduring. This is an opportunity to pause and reflect.

NSW Police have been notified, and while disappointed, understand the Board’s decision and the Board are meeting with the Police to discuss further.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have worked closely on our event operations with NSW Police over many years, building greater understanding behind the scenes to serve the broader community. Through this, we have developed a constructive relationship that has helped us progress towards a more reconciled future between NSW Police and the LGBTQIA+ community.

A MusIim Girl was brutaIIy beaten in the streets of Raqqa/Syria by her family in an “honour killing” crime.

Her family chased her in the streets and dragged her from hair.
She was screaming and everyone kept watching.

One of thousands of honour killing crimes Among MusIims. pic.twitter.com/HtvdogSNsA

— Azzat Alsalem (@AzzatAlsaalem) February 26, 2024

Imagine scrolling through Facebook and coming across a live stream of terrorists murdering your grandmother.

That’s what happened to Mor on October 7th when Hamas terrorists murdered her grandmother and posted it on her Facebook page.

We will never forgive. We will never… pic.twitter.com/zA5EKs5bwV

— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) February 25, 2024