More than two dozen people were arrested and at least 10 police officers were allegedly assaulted after tensions flared at a rally in Sydney opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, as police and protest groups offered sharply differing accounts of the events.
Thousands gathered at Town Hall on Monday evening for a stationary protest after a NSW Supreme Court judge rejected an urgent legal challenge to police powers that prevented demonstrators from marching through the CBD. As the rally progressed, police made arrests and deployed capsicum spray, citing alleged assaults on officers, breaches of move-on directions and clashes at barricades.
NSW Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said police actions were “justified”, describing “rolling fights” and “violent behaviours by members of the crowd”. He accused speakers of using “inflammatory language” and inciting protesters to disobey the law.
“It was outrageous the behaviour we saw across Sydney streets tonight,” McKenna said. “We did not want conflict … yet despite all of that, it seems some people were adamant that that is exactly what they want.”
Police said 10 people were arrested for allegedly assaulting officers and a further 17 for failing to comply with directions and related offences. Images from the scene showed people pinned to the ground and handcuffed. Light rail services were temporarily halted after protesters moved onto the tracks.
Criticism of police handling of the rally intensified overnight, particularly after video circulated appearing to show officers dragging away men who were praying outside Town Hall. The footage was shared by English-Australian emergency physician Dr Mohammed Mustafa and prompted condemnation from Islamic and civil liberties groups.
The Australian National Imams Council described the vision as “shocking, deeply disturbing, and entirely unacceptable”, calling on Premier Chris Minns and his government to ensure accountability and an investigation. “This treatment of worshippers is unacceptable in any circumstances,” the council said.
McKenna said he understood why the footage concerned people when viewed “out of context”, but argued short clips did not reflect what he described as a broader melee. “I can understand why one video, in particular, might even be offensive,” he said. “But please understand they are small videos being put up … out of context.”
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties condemned what it described as the “use of violence against what would have been an otherwise peaceful protest” and called for investigations into the exercise of police powers. State Greens MP Sue Higginson accused police of using unnecessary force, while former federal candidate Hannah Thomas, who previously suffered an eye injury during a separate protest arrest, said the events were “far worse” and blamed the premier.
Protest organisers also criticised police. Palestine Action Group Sydney alleged a “brutal attack” on a peaceful protest, accusing authorities of suppressing political expression. Police estimated about 6000 people attended; organisers claimed far higher numbers.
The rally followed a Supreme Court ruling earlier in the day upholding a NSW government declaration of Herzog’s visit as a major event, a designation that grants police expanded powers to restrict movement and issue directions. Justice Robertson Wright said submissions on both sides had “considerable force”, but dismissed the challenge. The declaration did not ban protests, though it prevented a planned march from Town Hall to NSW Parliament.
Herzog, who arrived in Australia amid heightened security, was attending a Jewish community event at the International Convention Centre during the clashes. Speaking earlier, he said demonstrations “undermine and delegitimise” Israel, adding that he had come to Australia “in goodwill”.
About 30 rallies were expected across Australia during Herzog’s four-day visit.
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