Sydney protest over Israeli president’s visit sees tense police stand-off

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Sydney: Australian police have defended their handling of a large protest in Sydney against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, after footage and eyewitness accounts showed clashes between demonstrators and officers. Authorities said officers acted appropriately to maintain safety as tensions escalated in the city’s central business district.

The rally, organised by the Palestine Action Group, drew thousands of protesters to Sydney Town Hall on Monday evening. Police said about 6,000 people gathered to oppose Herzog’s visit which follows a recent deadly terror attack in Sydney and that they were legally obliged to prevent an unauthorised march towards the NSW Parliament.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters officers were “threatened, jostled and assaulted” during several scuffles and that their actions were justified given the volatile environment. Police used pepper spray and pushed back demonstrators after legally instructing the crowd to disperse, he added.

Premier Chris Minns echoed that the force’s decisions were made under difficult circumstances, stressing that protecting public safety and preventing clashes between opposing groups including large numbers of Jewish mourners attending a separate event was a top priority.

However, many protesters and some lawmakers dismissed the police response as heavy-handed. Critics pointed to video footage showing officers punching individuals and forcibly moving people engaged in prayer as evidence of excessive force. Calls have emerged for independent review of the police conduct.

So far, 27 people have been arrested in Sydney, with several charged for assaulting officers, and similar protests have taken place in other Australian cities. Federal leaders have urged calm and respect for peaceful dissent even as debate continues over the policing tactics and broader political context of the demonstration.