Australian police have defended their actions after violently clashing with protesters during a demonstration against a visit by the Israeli president. Video emerged of police charging and punching protesters during the rally in Sydney on Monday night, with a state parliament MP among those who said they were injured in the clashes. Police said 27 people were arrested, with nine later charged, and 10 officers assaulted.
Officers showed 'remarkable restraint,' NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said, adding they 'did what they needed to do.' Earlier, rally organisers had failed in their court bid to overturn police powers limiting their right to demonstrate during Isaac Herzog's visit.
The government invited Herzog to visit Australia after an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach, saying it would help the Jewish community heal, despite objections from pro-Palestinian groups. Fifteen people, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed on 14 December after two gunmen shot at crowds at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Video footage of the protests outside Sydney's Town Hall showed several physical confrontations between police and protesters. Protesters reported being physically assaulted and restrained from marching, despite claims by police that their actions were necessary to maintain order.
The protests stemmed from well-documented discontent regarding Herzog's visit, with activists citing prior comments linking Israeli officials to violence against Palestinians. New South Wales authorities introduced restrictions on public protest following recent violent incidents, intensifying the conflict in Sydney's streets as community leaders called for greater accountability in police conduct.
Officers showed 'remarkable restraint,' NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said, adding they 'did what they needed to do.' Earlier, rally organisers had failed in their court bid to overturn police powers limiting their right to demonstrate during Isaac Herzog's visit.
The government invited Herzog to visit Australia after an antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach, saying it would help the Jewish community heal, despite objections from pro-Palestinian groups. Fifteen people, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed on 14 December after two gunmen shot at crowds at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Video footage of the protests outside Sydney's Town Hall showed several physical confrontations between police and protesters. Protesters reported being physically assaulted and restrained from marching, despite claims by police that their actions were necessary to maintain order.
The protests stemmed from well-documented discontent regarding Herzog's visit, with activists citing prior comments linking Israeli officials to violence against Palestinians. New South Wales authorities introduced restrictions on public protest following recent violent incidents, intensifying the conflict in Sydney's streets as community leaders called for greater accountability in police conduct.
