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Violent clashes erupt at Sydney protest
Police in Sydney clashed with demonstrators on Monday night during a protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with footage showing officers punching and dragging protesters. At least 27 people were arrested, nine charged, and ten officers assaulted, authorities said.
Police defend response amid criticism
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated Tuesday that officers exhibited "remarkable restraint" and "did what they needed to do" to control the situation. The protest, which police estimated at 6,000 attendees while organizers claimed 50,000, turned violent as demonstrators demanded the right to march.
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna described the scene as "a number of melees, rolling fights" where police were "significantly outnumbered" and faced threats and assaults. Premier Chris Minns defended the police, calling their position "impossible" and urging the public to consider the full context beyond short video clips.
Legal restrictions spark outrage
Protesters had sought to overturn police powers limiting their right to march, but lost their court bid just 30 minutes before the rally. The NSW government had introduced "major event" powers days earlier, banning marches but allowing static gatherings. Organizers argued the restrictions were unnecessary and escalated tensions.
Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group told ABC Radio the violence was the "worst" he had witnessed in years, stating the situation could have been avoided if authorities had permitted a march route from Town Hall to Hyde Park or the state parliament.
Protesters and politicians react
NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd, who posted a photo of herself in a neck brace, said she was shoved by police despite identifying herself as a parliamentarian. "I got pushed so hard my feet left the ground," she recounted.
Activist Grace Tame led chants of "from Gadigal to Gaza, globalise the intifada," drawing criticism from politicians, including former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who suggested she should be stripped of her 2021 Australian of the Year title. Tame responded on Instagram, condemning "unprovoked police brutality" against nonviolent attendees.
"Politicians and the press can deflect onto me all they like, but I'm not the story."
Grace Tame, activist
Diverse voices at the protest
Jewish demonstrator Linda Feinberg expressed dismay at Herzog's visit, holding a sign reading "Jews say no to genocide." She called the invitation "a really damaging decision."
Sihal Jamila, attending with her young daughter, told the BBC, "They're killing our children. This is ridiculous," her voice breaking with emotion.
The Australian National Imams Council condemned footage showing police dragging Muslim men while they prayed, calling it "shocking, deeply disturbing, and entirely unacceptable."
Government and international context
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, set to meet Herzog later Tuesday, said he was "devastated" by the scenes but defended the invitation, arguing protesters "undermined" their cause. The government invited Herzog following a deadly antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in December, which killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl.
Pro-Palestinian groups opposed Herzog's visit, citing a 2023 UN report that accused him and other Israeli leaders of "inciting genocide" against Palestinians. Herzog denied the allegations, calling the report "distorted and false."
What's next
Another protest is planned for Tuesday evening outside a Sydney police station, with organizers demanding charges against protesters be dropped and an investigation into police use of force. Authorities have not yet responded to the calls for accountability.
