NSW Police puts pro-Palestine protesters on notice ahead of Israeli President’s visit to Sydney
Police have warned that pro-Palestinian protesters who violate restrictions while demonstrating against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia next week will be arrested.
The Palestine Action Group has announced a march from City Hall to the NSW Parliament House on Monday evening, in breach of public gathering restrictions put in place following the Bondi terror attack.
More than 3000 NSW Police officers will be deployed during Herzog’s four-day visit, with 500 assigned to Monday’s protest. As of June 2025, there were just under 16,000 sworn officers in NSW.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Dunstan said he had suggested an alternative route to protesters from Hyde Park to Belmore Park, but this had so far been rejected. He warned that police may have to arrest those who do not comply with orders to take action.
“Those who are thinking of joining the march are warned, they have nothing. [regular protest protections]” Dunstan said on Friday.
“We ask the organizers to work with us and comply with the declaration so that a peaceful march can be held safely.
“We don’t want to be in a situation where we’re arresting people. If people come to city hall, if they violate the declaration, we’re going to have to arrest people. It’s not going to be our fault.”
Dunstan said police were “at an impasse” with the organisers. He last spoke to Palestine Action Group organizer Josh Lees on Monday but has so far refused to have a formal meeting with police.
Dunstan said organizers estimate 4,000 to 5,000 people will attend the protest, “who will march in single file.”
“This is ridiculous…impractical, not possible,” he said.
The restrictions do not ban protests, but they do prevent those who obstruct traffic or pedestrians from legal charges. Police may issue attendance orders to anyone obstructing pedestrians or traffic, or behaving in an intimidating or harassing manner, or in a way that could be perceived as threatening or causing fear. They may also demand that protesters remove face coverings from people suspected of committing crimes.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon extended gathering restrictions on Tuesday due to public safety concerns.
“What I fear is that a large-scale public gathering with this much hostility poses a risk to public safety,” he said.
Police have stepped up security following a terrorist attack at the Jewish Hanukkah by the Sea event in Bondi on December 14. Only two police officers were assigned to the police in the incident where 15 people were killed.
Alongside restrictions on public gatherings, the number of specialist officers carrying long-armed weapons on duty at large events is also increasing.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
