Demonstrators defy protest ban, oppose Israeli’s visit
Activists have vowed to stage a large-scale demonstration if Australia welcomes the Israeli president to the city.
Hundreds of people defying anti-protest laws passed in the wake of the Bondi terror attack gathered at Sydney City Hall on Friday evening and were greeted by a large police presence.
The demonstrators were protesting the laws and Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s proposed visit to Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited Mr Herzog to visit Australia following the December 12 terrorist attack in which 15 innocent people were killed.
A United Nations commission of inquiry found that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and that Mr. Herzog was one of those who instigated that genocide.
Stop the War on Palestine member Adam Adelpour addressed the crowd in Sydney, signaling there would be mass demonstrations if Mr Herzog visited Australia.
“Isaac Herzog is not going anywhere in this country without mass protests,” he said.
“We will not only gather in numbers much larger than that; we will gather in numbers commensurate with the genocide he committed.”
Protesters have condemned new anti-protest laws passed by the NSW parliament that give NSW Police the power to refuse to allow protests in key parts of Sydney.
The law does not explicitly ban protests, but it removes some protections for authorized demonstrations and leaves participants vulnerable to arrest for obstructing traffic or pedestrians.
Demonstrators did not take their customary march through the streets of Sydney on Friday and instead remained motionless, following police instructions.
NSW Police confirmed a man said to be a counter-protester was arrested for disturbing the peace but was released without charge.
Police said they interviewed three other people for similar violations and left the scene without incident.
A legal challenge has been filed against anti-protest laws, arguing that they are unconstitutional because they impose an impermissible burden on the implied freedom of expression.
Notifications can be made every two weeks for up to three months following the declared terrorist incident.
“We are all defenders of our democracy… We will not let (NSW Premier) Chris Minns steal our democracy,” Greens MP Sue Higginson told the crowd.
The Middle East conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters invaded Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking nearly 250 hostage, according to Israeli records.
Israel’s subsequent military offensive on Gaza led to the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s health ministry, and led to accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
