Chaos Erupts at Sydney Anti-Herzog Protest as Police Watchdog Launches Inquiry
New South Wales police have defended their actions following violent clashes at a protest in central Sydney against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with the state's premier, Chris Minns, describing the situation as "impossible." In contrast, protesters have labeled police behavior as "unhinged," and a member of Minns' own government has criticized restrictive anti-protest laws. On Friday, the police watchdog announced an independent inquiry into the handling of the demonstration, responding to widespread criticism and numerous complaints.
Peaceful Start Turns Violent Amid Tense Standoff
The protest began peacefully on a humid evening, with thousands gathering at Sydney's Town Hall to call for Herzog to be sent to the International Criminal Court over allegations of inciting genocide in Gaza, which he denies. Attendees included Rob Chapman with his eight-year-old son, Seamus, and 69-year-old Jann Alhafny, whose late husband was Palestinian. However, tensions escalated after a judge upheld special police powers granted for Herzog's visit, restricting protesters' ability to march without arrest.
Police blocked attempts to march to state parliament, citing the Major Events Act and offering an alternative route to avoid confrontations with mourners at a Bondi terror attack commemoration event involving Herzog. As chants of "let us march" grew, senior police officers engaged in tense discussions with organizers, including Greens MPs, but no resolution was reached. The situation quickly deteriorated into violent confrontations.
Allegations of Excessive Force and Injuries Mount
Multiple incidents of alleged police brutality were captured on video, including a man in a white shirt being punched repeatedly by officers after raising his hands, an act described by policing expert Associate Professor Vicki Sentas as unjustified. Pepper spray was deployed, and protesters reported being kicked, restrained, and pushed, leading to injuries such as broken vertebrae for Alhafny. Jordan Ryan Hennessy suffered from pepper spray exposure, while others, like Ali Al-Lami, were arrested and later released with move-on orders.
During the chaos, Muslim worshippers praying at the scene were disrupted, with police later apologizing for the incident. Greens MLC Abigail Boyd alleged she was punched by officers, and 16-year-old Nedal claimed he was kicked and restrained without charge. Jace Turner, 28, was charged with assault after an altercation where he bit an officer's finger, facing up to seven years in prison. By the end of the night, police had funneled the crowd away, leaving only officers at Town Hall.
Political and Legal Fallout Intensifies
Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna accused rally speakers of inciting the crowd, suggesting a "contagion of groupthink" contributed to the violence. He defended police actions, emphasizing obligations to protect Herzog as an internationally protected person. Minns has backed the police, refusing to conduct an independent inquiry, stating, "We can't blame the police for doing what we asked them to do." However, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission's investigation will examine misconduct allegations, adding to ongoing legal challenges against the anti-protest laws in the Supreme Court.
Protesters and critics argue that the restrictive legislation made the environment more unsafe, with one government member calling the violence "pretty much an inevitable consequence." As the inquiry proceeds, the events highlight deepening tensions over protest rights and police powers in New South Wales.
