Police Deploy Pepper Spray at Sydney Rally Opposing Israeli President's Visit
New South Wales police have used pepper spray against protesters at a Sydney rally opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's four-day visit to Australia, which began on Monday. The demonstration saw hundreds of participants attempt to march in defiance of state laws, leading to tense confrontations with law enforcement.
Widespread Protests Across Australian Cities
Thousands gathered near Sydney's Town Hall on Monday evening, where prominent figures including Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame addressed the crowd. Notably, three NSW Labor backbenchers defied their premier to attend the protest, highlighting the political divisions surrounding the visit.
In Melbourne, thousands more protesters assembled, with Senator Lidia Thorpe delivering a speech expressing solidarity with Palestinian communities while condemning violence in all forms. "I stand against violence of all forms, particularly genocide," Thorpe stated, adding her support for "Palestinian brothers and sisters."
Confrontation Over Marching Rights
More than an hour into the Sydney protest, organisers engaged in tense negotiations with police as demonstrators sought permission to march. NSW laws passed following the Bondi terror attack prevent protesters from marching without authorisation, creating a standoff between activists and authorities.
As protesters began beating drums and chanting "let us march," police responded by deploying pepper spray when some attempted to proceed. Witnesses described people near the front running back while coughing and spluttering, with those affected pouring water over their eyes to alleviate the effects.
Controversial Visit Amid International Criticism
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited Herzog following the 14 December antisemitic shooting, stating the visit aimed to foster greater unity. However, the Israeli president's arrival has sparked controversy, with some calling for his arrest after a UN commission finding suggested he, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, had "incited the commission of genocide."
Herzog has dismissed the genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice as a "form of blood libel" and defended his 2023 statement that "it is an entire nation out there that is responsible" for the 7 October attacks on Israel.
When asked about the protests, Herzog responded on Monday: "It is important for me to say that I've come here in goodwill. These demonstrations, in most cases, what you hear and see comes to undermine and delegitimise our right, my nation's right, the nation which I am the head of state of, of its mere existence."
The protests represent significant public opposition to Herzog's diplomatic visit, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding international perceptions of Israel's actions and Australia's diplomatic relationships.
