Sydney, Australia – A visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog has ignited widespread protests across Australia, culminating in clashes with police in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday. Demonstrations took place in major cities including Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane, reflecting growing discontent over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and accusations that Herzog’s presence legitimizes Israeli policy.
The most significant confrontations occurred in Sydney, where thousands gathered near Sydney Town Hall to oppose Herzog’s four-day state visit. According to NSW Police, 27 people were arrested on Monday, with ten accused of assaulting police officers. The protests were initially sparked by Herzog’s attendance at a commemoration for the victims of the December Bondi Beach shooting, an attack authorities have described as Australia’s worst mass shooting in 29 years, claiming 15 lives. He laid a wreath and stones brought from Jerusalem at Bondi Pavilion and met with survivors and families.
However, the focus of the protests quickly shifted to Herzog’s broader role and the policies of the Israeli government. Protesters accused him of inciting genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a charge he has not directly addressed during his visit. The demonstrations were met with a forceful response from police, who deployed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowds. Television footage showed officers pushing protesters and making arrests. A 69-year-old woman sustained four broken vertebrae during an interaction with police, and is currently hospitalized, according to reports.
On Tuesday, tensions remained high as hundreds of protesters gathered outside Surry Hills Police Station, vowing not to be intimidated by the police response. At least 100 officers, some on horseback, were stationed at the protest. Nine people – seven men and two women aged between 19 and 67 – have been charged with offences including assaulting or hindering police and failing to comply with a direction. Six others will be issued with court attendance notices for similar offenses. Protesters chanted anti-police and anti-government slogans, with one spokesperson from the Palestine Action Group stating that Herzog “should never have been invited to Australia” and that the government had “crushed the rights of the people” to protest.
The Australian government has condemned the violence and called for peaceful protests. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his “devastation” at the scenes unfolding in Sydney, stating, “Australians want two things. They don’t want conflict brought here. They want the killing to stop, whether it’s Israelis or Palestinians, but they do not want conflict brought here.” He added that the protests were undermining, rather than advancing, the causes they purported to support.
The timing of Herzog’s visit, coinciding with the commemoration of the Bondi Beach attack, has added another layer of complexity to the situation. The attack, which targeted a Jewish celebration, prompted an outpouring of grief and solidarity within the Australian Jewish community. Herzog stated that he was in Australia to “embrace and console the bereaved families,” adding, “When one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain.”
However, critics argue that the government’s decision to invite Herzog in the immediate aftermath of the attack, and to grant police expanded powers to manage protests, was insensitive and prioritized political considerations over the right to peaceful assembly. Protesters had previously lost a legal challenge to the NSW government’s decision to expand police powers during the visit.
The protests highlight the deep divisions within Australian society regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Australia has historically maintained a strong relationship with Israel, public opinion has become increasingly critical of Israeli policies in recent years. The scale and intensity of the demonstrations suggest that this issue will continue to be a source of contention in Australia for the foreseeable future. The events also raise questions about the balance between security concerns and the right to protest, particularly in the context of sensitive international issues.
The situation remains fluid, with further protests anticipated during Herzog’s remaining time in Australia. Authorities are likely to maintain a heightened security presence in major cities, and the potential for further clashes between police and protesters remains a concern. The unfolding events are being closely watched internationally, as they reflect a broader trend of increasing polarization and activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
