Sydney saw clashes between police and protesters evening as thousands gathered to demonstrate against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The protests, which took place at Sydney Town Hall and spread to other cities across Australia including Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth, resulted in 27 arrests, with nine individuals charged as of afternoon.
The charges range from behaving in an offensive manner in a public place to resisting a police officer. Police are preparing to issue court attendance notices to an additional six protesters for failing to comply with move-on directions. The unrest followed a legal challenge by protesters to expanded police powers granted during Herzog’s visit, a challenge which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Footage circulating on social media depicts scenes of escalating tension, including instances of police officers using force against demonstrators. Reports include a man being repeatedly punched while raising his hands, and a group of Muslim men being forcibly removed from prayer. Five members of the public required hospital treatment following the confrontations.
Aftab Malik, Australia’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, described the police response as involving “unprovoked violence and aggression,” characterizing night as “a very dark night.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns defended the actions of the police, emphasizing the long-standing cooperative relationship between law enforcement and the Muslim community. He acknowledged the difficult circumstances faced by officers, describing the situation as “in effect in the middle of a riot.” Minns also criticized Labor MPs who participated in the rally and those speakers who attempted to march despite police restrictions.
Labor MP Sarah Kaine, who addressed the protesters, rejected any suggestion that her participation incited violence. “I don’t think it’s helpful for police or anyone else in high office to be making allegations like that,” she stated.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon characterized the assembly as “volatile.” Greens MP Abigail Boyd alleged she was assaulted by three police officers, sustaining injuries that required hospital treatment. “I got this almighty shove from my right and I went flying, lifted off the ground… and then this one copper just punched me as I was trying to get my balance,” Boyd recounted. “I only weigh 60 kilos, I’m only 5’3″, I don’t understand why they were attacking me. I’d said I was a member of parliament. I’ve never seen anything like it, it was so brutal.”
The protests unfolded after police restricted movement around the demonstration site, creating a congested area as protesters attempted to adhere to the limitations. When a move-on order was issued, the situation escalated as the crowd struggled to disperse before officers moved in to break up the gathering.
Community worker Paula Abood reported being assaulted by police on two occasions while attempting to assist other protesters who were being struck. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 40 years of marching the streets of Sydney,” she said.
President Herzog’s visit to Australia followed the Bondi terror attack. However, his presence has also drawn scrutiny due to comments that a United Nations inquiry found could be interpreted as inciting genocide against Palestinians. Herzog has denied this claim, asserting that his remarks were taken out of context.
Despite the protests, Herzog continued his tour on , visiting Moriah War Memorial College, a Jewish school in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The protests highlight the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even within Australia. The heavy-handed police response is likely to fuel further debate about the balance between security concerns and the right to peaceful protest, particularly in the wake of the Bondi attack and the subsequent heightened security measures.
