A protest in Sydney against Israeli President Isaac Herzog became contentious on the night of March 15, 2024, when police intervened during a group prayer, leading to widespread condemnation from Muslim organizations. Members of the Muslim community have called for the prosecution of police officers involved in the incident, describing their actions as “unhinged” and “aggressive.”
During the demonstration at Sydney Town Hall, approximately a dozen men, led by Sheikh Wesam Charkawi, were kneeling in prayer when police officers approached. Video footage captured the moment officers grabbed individuals at the edge of the prayer group and forcibly removed them from the scene. Witnesses reported that the men continued their prayer undisturbed, despite the chaos around them.
Sheikh Charkawi stated, “We weren’t disobeying any police commands. We were simply making our prayers.” He expressed outrage over the police response, saying that their behavior demonstrated a lack of regard for peaceful worshippers. According to Charkawi, the officers were “so aggressive and so violent,” highlighting that his group was only about 15 minutes behind schedule for their sunset prayer.
The aftermath of the incident has prompted at least 38 Muslim and legal organizations across Australia to demand the resignation of NSW police commissioner Mal Lanyon. They accused him of fostering a policing culture that allowed such conduct to occur. The coalition also called for an apology from New South Wales premier Chris Minns, citing the police’s “abuse of power” during a lawful and peaceful protest.
Calls for Accountability and Apologies
In their statement, the coalition emphasized that the police intervention disrupted a moment of religious observance, using physical force against individuals who posed no threat to public safety. They asserted that no other faith community would be expected to tolerate such disruptions and demanded an independent inquiry into the events of that night.
The Australian National Imams Council condemned the police’s actions as “heavy-handed” and unprovoked, asserting that the police are entrusted to protect communities, not interfere with religious worship.
Lanyon defended his officers, claiming they acted with “remarkable restraint.” He argued that the situation was tense, as speakers at the protest were inciting participants to march, a move that had been deemed unacceptable by police in light of prior incidents, including the Bondi antisemitic terror attack.
Premier Minns acknowledged the criticisms directed at police but maintained that officers were in a challenging position, needing to separate protestors from a larger gathering of over 7,000 people attending an event with Herzog. He stated, “Police have to make critical early decisions in those circumstances. It wasn’t designed to pick on or target a particular community.”
In response to the incident, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised the issue in parliament, expressing a commitment to allow police to conduct their investigation while ensuring that the community’s concerns are addressed.
As discussions continue regarding the events of March 15, many are left questioning the balance between maintaining public safety and respecting the rights of individuals to peacefully express their religious beliefs.
