Calls for peace as communities commemorate October 7 anniversary

One year ago today, Hamas unleashed terror by invading southern Israel, killing more than 1200 people and taking more than 240 Jewish hostages back into Gaza.

It was the biggest single loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust and sparked a campaign of violent retribution from Israel – which has now spread to Lebanon and threatens to seep into other parts of the Middle East.

While the divide seems bigger than ever, grassroots movement Standing Together is uniting Israelis and Palestinians to push for peace.

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Group leaders Dr Shahd Bishara and Nadav Shofet said they were determined to forge a path of peace.

"It's a duty right now that we come together, stand in solidarity ... amidst all this chaos," Bishara said.

"We're fed up with this war and we know that there is definitely another way," Shofet said.

"We the people have to work together collectively to make sure that we can go down a different path."

It comes as thousands of Australians joined candlelight vigils across Australia to commemorate the October 7 anniversary.

Sombre vigils were being held in capital cities, including a memorial for the Jewish community in Melbourne, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was expected.

Despite Albanese urging against protest activity, pro-Palestine demonstrations in Sydney and Melbourne have gone ahead.

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Demonstrators in Melbourne marched silently along a two-kilometre stretch from St Kilda Road to the steps of parliament.

They marched to the sound of a single beating drum, while others carried stretchers, recognising lives lost in the war.

At Sydney's Town Hall, about 500 demonstrators were present for a static vigil, with a major police presence keeping an eye on crowds.

About 1000 additional police were rostered on across Sydney to ensure violence did not erupt.

At Vaucluse, about 10,000 members of the Jewish community gathered for a vigil, while in Lakemba in western Sydney, 1000 community members filled the local mosque in a static vigil.

A Current Affair did not see any symbols of hate or signs of violence present at any of the October 7 demonstrations.

Despite strong objection to the war from overseas, Bishara, who identifies as Arab-Palestinian, said change ultimately needs to come from within the region.

"I think right now on both sides we have a right extremist actually controlling the situation and they feed each other," Bishara said.

"At this moment, maybe international and global pressures may help right now to stop... the ongoing war, but a real change will come within Israel from the people themselves.

"From Israel, when we build a majority who actually demand from those who are in power, to stop the war, to work towards a resolution of Israeli and Palestinian peace."

Shofet said Israeli Jews and Arab-Palestinians had a common interest in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for each other.

"Not only are we not enemies, but we are really true partners in this fight and we know that the majority of the people in this land are partners in this fight and want a peaceful future and want a way forward," Shofet said.

Shofet and Bishara are coming to Australia next month to continue the push for peace in the Middle East.

For more information, head to the Standing Together website.