SYDNEY – Australian authorities urged restraint on following clashes between police and protesters opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as tensions remain high following a deadly shooting at a Jewish religious event in December. Twenty-seven people were arrested during the demonstrations in Sydney on evening, police said, including ten accused of assaulting officers.
The protests unfolded as Herzog continued a four-day visit to Australia, initiated at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the wake of the attack at Bondi Beach, which left fifteen people dead. Herzog visited the site of the shooting on , laying a wreath and meeting with families of the victims.
Prime Minister Albanese expressed his dismay at the violence, appealing for peaceful expression of dissent. “Australians want two things,” he stated in a radio interview. “They don’t want conflict brought here. They want killing to stop, whether it’s Israelis or Palestinians, but they do not want conflict brought here.” He added that such scenes undermined the causes protesters sought to advance.
New South Wales (NSW) Police were granted rarely used powers to manage the protests, including the authority to direct crowd movement, restrict access to areas and conduct vehicle searches. A legal challenge to these restrictions was dismissed by a Sydney court on .
Television footage showed protesters attempting to breach police barricades, with officers responding by pushing them back. Reports indicate some protesters were forcibly restrained, and police deployed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the crowds.
NSW Premier Chris Minns defended the actions of the police, acknowledging the difficult circumstances they faced. “I understand there’s criticisms of New South Wales Police,” he said at a press conference. “I just want to make it clear they were caught in an impossible situation.”
The Palestine Action Group Sydney released a statement alleging that protesters were deliberately trapped by police, preventing their departure from the demonstration area. “The police began charging the crowd with horses, indiscriminately pepper spraying the crowd, punching and arresting people,” the group claimed.
Abigail Boyd, a Green Party member of the NSW state parliament, stated she was punched by officers while attempting to leave the protest site. “I have a very sore arm and shoulder where they punched me. I’m really in shock,” she told reporters.
Herzog’s visit has drawn criticism from some quarters, including calls for his disinvitation from Jewish groups within Australia, such as the progressive Jewish Council of Australia. These groups, along with many protesters, point to Israel’s actions in Gaza as a source of contention. The visit comes amid international scrutiny of Israel’s military operations and accusations of genocide, which Israel has repeatedly denied.
However, the visit has also been welcomed by other Jewish organizations, including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), who view it as a demonstration of solidarity following the Bondi Beach shooting and a response to a reported surge in antisemitism. Colin Rubenstein, executive director of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC), described the visit as “an essential part of the healing process” and expressed confidence that it reflected the views of the majority of Australian Jews.
The Bondi Beach shooting, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, prompted widespread condemnation and sparked fears of rising antisemitism in Australia. Herzog’s visit is intended, in part, to reassure the Jewish community and demonstrate support in the wake of the tragedy. He described the attack as having “scarred” an iconic symbol of Australian life.
The timing of Herzog’s visit, following the shooting and amidst ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has amplified existing tensions and contributed to the intensity of the protests. The Australian government’s decision to invite Herzog has become a focal point for those seeking to express their opposition to Israeli policies and demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians.
The protests highlight the complex and often divisive issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its reverberations within Australian society. The clashes between police and protesters underscore the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with the need to maintain public order and ensure the safety of all citizens.
