Police have been granted extra powers to block movement in the centre of Sydney but are hopeful Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit can remain peaceful.
The NSW government has approved special event public safety arrangements to bolster the number of officers deployed during Herzog’s visit, which begins on Monday.
Anyone who fails to comply with lawful police directions could face penalties, including fines of up to $5500 or exclusion from the major event area.
Thousands of demonstrators are set to defy protest restrictions and arrest when they rally against the contentious visit after failing to reach an agreement with police.
‘The Palestinian Action Group proposes a rally from Town Hall through the streets of the Sydney CBD,’ Commissioner Mal Lanyon told reporters on Saturday.
‘That route is unauthorised.’
But a group of 13 MPs, including four members of the Minns government, have written to Mr Lanyon urging him to allow the march to proceed.
‘It is time for cool heads to prevail … the role of state government is to ensure community safety,’ Labor backbencher and signatory to the letter Stephen Lawrence said.
Police have been granted extra powers to block movement in the centre of Sydney during a visit from Israeli President Isaac Herzog (pictured)
Thousands of demonstrators are set to defy protest restrictions when they rally against the contentious visit after failing to reach an agreement with police
‘A safe, peaceful procession to parliament is achievable, I believe, and I call on police to truly and constructively engage with the organisers.’
Rallies have been organised in all state capitals ahead of Herzog’s five-day tour, with Sydney his first stop.
Protesters and human rights experts have called for his invitation to be rescinded, citing his culpability in Israel’s bombardment and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
Herzog has previously said Palestinians bore collective blame for the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
A United Nations Human Rights Council commission of inquiry in September found the statement might reasonably have been interpreted as inciting genocide.
The president has denied the claim and said his comments were taken out of context.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the visit holds deep significance for the Jewish community of NSW as it continues to mourn and recover from the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on December 14.
To help manage crowd safety, Herzog’s arrival in Sydney has been formally declared a major event.
NSW Premier Chris Minns formally declared a major event in Sydney, claiming it was not a ban on protests or marches and people retained the right to express their views lawfully
Protesters and human rights experts have called for his invitation to be rescinded, citing his culpability in Israel’s bombardment and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza
Minns said the arrangements were not a ban on protests or marches and people retained the right to express their views lawfully.
However, any risk of conflict, violence or public disorder would not be tolerated.
‘We cannot allow a situation where mourners and protesters come into close contact on city streets without strong police presence,’ Minns told reporters on Saturday.
‘This is about keeping people safe, lowering the temperature and ensuring Sydney remains calm and orderly.’
Police Minister Yasmin Catley added that they expect the public to cooperate.
‘We expect people to follow police directions and if someone chooses to break the law or ignore police instructions, police will respond,’ she said.
Asked whether increasing police powers to crack down on protesters could inflame tensions, Minns said the measures were designed to prevent violent clashes.
‘During 200 [previous] Palestinian Action Group protests, several people have been detained and arrested by NSW Police who were counter-demonstrators,’ he said.
‘That’s not because the NSW Police are picking one side or another but they were fearful of a clash – in this case, a clash against protesters.’
Government backbenchers Sarah Kaine and Stephen Lawrence have said they will join the protests on Monday.
