Australia saw violent clashes between police and protesters in Sydney on Monday evening as people rallied against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, prompting leaders to urge calm and call for peaceful expression of views.
The unrest began when thousands gathered near Sydney’s Town Hall to oppose Herzog’s state visit, which comes shortly after a deadly mass shooting at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach in December that killed 15 people. As the crowd grew, police, equipped with powers granted under a special Major Events Act, moved in to clear the area when demonstrators refused to disperse.
Police said they arrested 27 people, including 10 for allegedly assaulting officers, and used tear gas and pepper spray to manage the increasingly tense situation. Authorities reported no serious injuries, though clashes were captured on video showing officers and protesters struggling on the ground.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his dismay over the violence and called on people to express their opinions peacefully and respectfully. He said Australians “don’t want conflict brought here” and stressed that protest actions like these could undermine public support for stopping violence abroad.
Police defended their actions, with senior officers saying they faced violent behaviour and threats from some protesters as they tried to enforce public safety laws and keep order. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns backed police, noting the challenges of controlling large crowds under volatile conditions, though the footage sparked criticism from some observers.
Organisers of the protest, including the Palestine Action Group Sydney, argued that officers used indiscriminate force and trapped demonstrators, asserting that many were simply there to voice opposition to Herzog’s visit and the war in Gaza. The group plans further demonstrations outside a police headquarters in response to Monday’s clashes.
Reporting also noted thousands took part not just in Sydney, but in other cities including Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth, giving the movement a national scale even if Sydney was the most volatile site of clashes.
The protests have sparked broader debate in Australia about freedom of speech, the right to protest, and how authorities manage public order during high-profile international visits.
