Two Palestinian Australian men claimed they experienced hateful abuse on a Sydney train during the same day anti-immigration marches took place in Australian cities. They were verbally abused on the train, reportedly because one of the men was wearing a keffiyah, which, while not exclusive to the Palestinian cause, is strongly associated with it.
Shamikh and Majed Badra, whose family members in the occupied Gaza have been affected by the war, attended a Palestine rally in Sydney and then boarded a train from Town Hall to Stanmore station. It was on this journey that they faced unprovoked verbal abuse from four men.
The pair were forced to leave their seats near the train station doors and tried to de-escalate the situation. Shamikh, a PhD student, said they tried to protect themselves and struggle to understand the hostility they faced.
An incident video shows the abuse escalating, with the men telling the Badras to “take off your scarf” and “get the fuck out of here.” The video also shows several men verbally lashing out in a threatening manner.
NSW police were contacted for comment. The train was halted at Macdonaldtown station, and all passengers, including the Badra brothers, were ordered off. The Badras reported the incident and provided video footage as evidence.
It is unclear if the alleged assailants attended an anti-immigration rally held in Sydney, where Neo-Nazi activists were involved. The rally saw police estimates of 15,000 people participating, with chants of “send them back” and neo-Nazi symbols being displayed. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the presence of Nazis and the use of apartheid-era language at the rally.
Both Shamikh and Majed are Palestinian Australian filmmakers. They produced a documentary called “Gaza Nippers” about a surf lifesaving program for children in Gaza. The surf club has halted its activities due to the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of at least seven children and club supporters.
After the incident, Shamikh expressed his commitment to speaking out against racism and described the event as an attack on their identity. He emphasized that no one should feel unsafe due to who they are and that such incidents must not be met with silence.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/02/palestinian-australian-brothers-shamikh-majed-badra-alleged-attack-sydney-train
