Citing public safety concerns for the decision, McKenna said police had suggested alternate routes to organisers, and discussions were ongoing.

Israel’s offensive has since killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, as well as leaving much of the enclave in ruins and creating a humanitarian disaster with grave shortages of food, drinking water and safe shelter.

Pro-Palestine demonstrations have been held in Sydney almost weekly for the past two years. Source: Getty / Lisa Maree Williams

Famine was declared in Gaza City in August, and more than 641,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, according to United Nations figures.

When announcing the protest earlier this week, Palestine Action Group referenced the significance of using the Opera House for the planned rally this month.

Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated outside the Sydney Opera House in October 2023. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

The venue had “long been a symbol of anti-war protest”, it said, referencing the words “No War” being painted on its sails in 2003 in opposition to the Iraq War.