Demonstrators gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Friday evening to protest the proposed visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Australia. The rally, which defied recent anti-protest laws implemented in New South Wales (NSW), drew hundreds of participants despite a significant police presence. Activists expressed their opposition not only to Herzog’s visit but also to the laws that limit the right to protest in key areas of Sydney.
The invitation for President Herzog’s visit was extended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following a terrorist attack on December 12, 2022, that claimed the lives of 15 individuals. The situation surrounding the invitation intensified after a United Nations commission of inquiry accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, stating that Herzog had incited such actions.
During the rally, Adam Adelpour, a member of the organization Stop the War on Palestine, addressed the crowd, warning of mass protests if Herzog proceeded with his visit. “Isaac Herzog will not go anywhere in this country without massive protests,” he declared. Adelpour emphasized that the demonstrations would reflect the severity of the situation in Gaza, asserting, “We will assemble in numbers commensurate with the genocide he has carried out.”
The new anti-protest laws, passed in the NSW parliament, grant police the authority to refuse to authorize protests in certain areas, effectively limiting the scope of public demonstrations. While the laws do not outright ban protests, they diminish certain protections for authorized gatherings, potentially exposing participants to arrest for obstructing traffic or pedestrians.
While the demonstrators chose to remain static and comply with police directions during the rally, reports indicated that one man, identified as a counter-protester, was arrested for breaching the peace but was later released without charges. Police also engaged with three other individuals for similar offenses, who subsequently left the scene without further incident.
Legal challenges against the new laws are in progress, with advocates arguing that the regulations infringe upon the implied freedom of speech. Under these laws, declarations restricting protests can be issued every two weeks for up to three months following a declared terror event.
“We are all the defenders of our democracy … we will not let NSW Premier Chris Minns steal our democracy,” stated Sue Higginson, a Greens MP, addressing the crowd. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters launched an attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 hostages taken, according to Israeli sources. In retaliation, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the enclave’s health ministry, leading to widespread allegations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
This protest reflects a growing movement against perceived injustices and the impact of international conflicts on local communities, highlighting the balancing act between public expression and legal restrictions in Australia.
