Police Use Pepper Spray on Protesters During Israeli President’s Visit to Sydney
Australian police clashed with protesters in Sydney, employing pepper spray during demonstrations against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit.
– The protests, organized by the Palestine Action Group, took place as Herzog made a solemn visit to Bondi Beach, where he laid a wreath in memory of victims of a tragic mass shooting at a Jewish festival in December, which left 15 dead, including a 10-year-old girl.
– While Australia’s senior Jewish leaders hope Herzog’s four-day visit will provide comfort, others argue he should not have been invited due to allegations of inciting genocide in Gaza—a claim he vehemently denies.
Rising Tensions Amidst Protests
– The demonstration in Sydney occurred despite recent government restrictions on public gatherings enacted after the December shooting incident.
– Just days prior, the New South Wales government granted police considerable powers to restrict areas, implement searches, and impose fines of up to $5,500 for non-compliance.
– Organizers anticipated around 5,000 participants, who gathered wearing Palestinian headscarves and brandishing placards containing messages like “I’m not anti-Semitic, I am anti-genocide” and “Arrest Herzog.”
As the peaceful rally concluded, protesters began chanting, Let us march, only to face a substantial police presence that halted their movement. Tensions rose, leading to the use of pepper spray to disperse some demonstrators, accompanied by additional police reinforcements. Similar protests unfolded in Melbourne.
Herzog’s Intent and Community Reactions
– Israeli President Herzog, invited by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, aimed to foster social cohesion following the Bondi attack.
– During a wreath-laying ceremony, Herzog expressed his solidarity, stating, When one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain, and emphasized his purpose to console bereaved families.
In response to the planned protests, Herzog stated: I have come here in goodwill. These demonstrations undermine my nation’s right to exist. He expressed that Australia and Israel share a long-standing friendship.
– Alex Ryvchin, co-chair of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, praised Herzog’s visit, noting its significance for victim families and survivors affected by the Bondi tragedy.
However, criticism arose from various groups, including the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA), established in 2024 to combat antisemitism and advocate for Palestinian freedoms. Executive officer Sarah Schwartz asserted that inviting Herzog, due to his alleged involvement in ongoing genocide, was deeply offensive and detrimental to Jewish safety.
A letter published by the JCA, signed by 600 Australian Jews, conveyed their disapproval, stating Herzog does not speak for us and is not welcome here. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, described the visit as a “very bitter pill to swallow.”
Ongoing Controversies Surrounding Herzog
Prime Minister Albanese defended the visit, allowing for public expression while highlighting the context of Herzog’s arrival amidst the recent antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi.
A UN commission concluded that Herzog was among the Israeli leaders who allegedly incited genocide against Palestinians. Following his controversial statements about national responsibility in the October 7 Hamas attacks, Herzog condemned the UN report, claiming misrepresentation of his intentions.
Chris Sidoti, an Australian human rights lawyer, called for Herzog’s arrest, arguing that customary diplomatic immunity should not safeguard leaders from crimes against humanity.
The looming questions cast by Herzog’s visit and the subsequent protests reveal a community grappling with deep-seated tensions, leaving many to wonder how the aftermath of tragedy will transform the dialogue surrounding Israel-Gaza relations.