An old video of a pro-Palestine rally from Manchester is being shared as visuals of a rally supporting the Sydney terrorist attack
A violent attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on 14 December left 16 people dead and dozens injured. Authorities have confirmed the incident as an Islamic State-linked terrorist attack carried out by two brothers, Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram.
In the aftermath, a video from a pro-Palestine rally has spread online with false claims that it shows support for the Sydney attack. Fact-checkers have since proven the footage unrelated and misleading.
The attack unfolded when Sajid Akram, who was killed at the scene, and his brother Naveed, now in critical condition, targeted civilians. Police quickly classified the assault as terrorism with ties to Islamic State ideology.
Meanwhile, a video showing a crowd with Palestinian flags and chants began circulating on social media. Many users claimed it depicted a rally endorsing the Sydney attack. However, investigations revealed the footage was from a pro-Palestine demonstration in Manchester—months before the incident.
Reverse image and keyword searches confirmed the video’s origins, debunking the connection to Sydney. No verified reports exist of any UK-based pro-Palestine rally supporting the attack after it occurred. The misleading claim gained traction despite the clear timeline discrepancy.
Further scrutiny showed that part of the viral footage actually depicted the Bremer Freimarkt, a German festival, not a political rally. The confusion highlights how easily misinformation can spread during high-profile tragedies.
The Sydney attack remains under investigation, with authorities focusing on the brothers’ extremist links. The debunked video serves as a reminder of how quickly false narratives can emerge in the wake of violence.
No evidence supports the claim that the Manchester rally—or any other—was connected to the Bondi Beach tragedy. Fact-checkers continue to urge caution when sharing unverified content online.
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