Australian police have defended their actions after violently clashing with protesters during a demonstration against a visit by the Israeli president. Video emerged of police charging and punching protesters during the rally in Sydney on Monday night, with a state parliament MP among those who said they were injured in the clashes. Police said 27 people were arrested, with nine later charged, and 10 officers assaulted. Officers showed 'remarkable restraint', NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Tuesday, adding they 'did what they needed to do'. Earlier, rally organisers had failed in their court bid to overturn police powers limiting their right to demonstrate during Isaac Herzog's visit.
The government invited Herzog to visit Australia after an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach, stating it would help the Jewish community heal, despite objections from pro-Palestinian groups. Fifteen people, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed on December 14 after two gunmen shot at crowds celebrating Hanukkah. Video footage of the protests outside Sydney's Town Hall, which police said attracted 6,000 attendees while organizers claimed 50,000, appeared to show multiple confrontations between police and protesters, with officers punching protesters and dragging away Muslim men who were praying.
Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group labelled the violence seen on Monday evening as the 'worst' he has witnessed in recent years, asserting that the group should have been permitted to march. He expressed that 'all of this could have been avoided' with appropriate government permissions. NSW had introduced restrictions on public protest following the aforementioned shooting and enforced 'major event' powers just days prior to the rally, limiting demonstrators to gathering without marching.
Police response has been reinforced by authorities, who emphasized the difficult position they were in during the protest. Additionally, Premier Chris Minns explained that police were mandated to separate protesters from individuals attending Herzog's event at a nearby venue. Another protest is planned for tonight, where organizers are demanding the dropping of charges against protesters and investigations into police conduct.
The Australian National Imams Council has condemned the footage showing Muslim participants being forcibly removed while praying as 'shocking and unacceptable'. Greens MP Abigail Boyd reported being harshly pushed by police while asserting her status as a parliament member. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed devastation regarding the incidents, although he defended Herzog's invitation, stating that protesters undermined their cause during the demonstration.
The government invited Herzog to visit Australia after an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach, stating it would help the Jewish community heal, despite objections from pro-Palestinian groups. Fifteen people, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed on December 14 after two gunmen shot at crowds celebrating Hanukkah. Video footage of the protests outside Sydney's Town Hall, which police said attracted 6,000 attendees while organizers claimed 50,000, appeared to show multiple confrontations between police and protesters, with officers punching protesters and dragging away Muslim men who were praying.
Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group labelled the violence seen on Monday evening as the 'worst' he has witnessed in recent years, asserting that the group should have been permitted to march. He expressed that 'all of this could have been avoided' with appropriate government permissions. NSW had introduced restrictions on public protest following the aforementioned shooting and enforced 'major event' powers just days prior to the rally, limiting demonstrators to gathering without marching.
Police response has been reinforced by authorities, who emphasized the difficult position they were in during the protest. Additionally, Premier Chris Minns explained that police were mandated to separate protesters from individuals attending Herzog's event at a nearby venue. Another protest is planned for tonight, where organizers are demanding the dropping of charges against protesters and investigations into police conduct.
The Australian National Imams Council has condemned the footage showing Muslim participants being forcibly removed while praying as 'shocking and unacceptable'. Greens MP Abigail Boyd reported being harshly pushed by police while asserting her status as a parliament member. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed devastation regarding the incidents, although he defended Herzog's invitation, stating that protesters undermined their cause during the demonstration.
