Violent Sydney Protests During Israeli President's Visit Leave PM 'Devastated'
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed deep distress on Tuesday as violent clashes erupted during protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney. The Prime Minister described himself as "devastated" by the scenes of conflict that unfolded in Australia's largest city, though he defended police actions during the demonstration.
Police Response and Arrests
New South Wales police confirmed they arrested 27 individuals during the rallies, including 10 people charged with assaulting law enforcement officers. Authorities deployed pepper spray against the crowd in what witnesses described as rarely-seen violent scuffles in Sydney's central business district.
Law enforcement targeted both protesters and members of the media, including AFP journalists, with pepper spray as they attempted to prevent the rally from marching into an area designated as off-limits. The police action has sparked controversy, particularly after video circulated on social media showing Muslim men praying near Sydney's Town Hall being pushed and shoved by officers.
Context of the Presidential Visit
President Herzog's tightly secured, four-day trip to Australia aims to console the country's Jewish community following the December 14 shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah festival. The attack represents the deadliest assault against Jews since Hamas's October 7, 2023, assault on Israel.
Not far from the protests, Herzog participated in an event for victims of the December killings alongside thousands of mourners. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns emphasized that allowing protesters to march near that memorial event would have been a "disaster." Minns acknowledged that police had been placed in "incredibly difficult circumstances" during the demonstration.
Community Reactions and Divisions
While many Jewish Australians have welcomed Herzog's visit, describing it as uplifting for a "pained community," divisions have emerged within the community itself. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia stated that Herzog was not welcome due to his alleged role in what they termed the "ongoing destruction of Gaza."
This criticism follows a United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry finding last year that Herzog was liable for prosecution for inciting genocide after he stated that all Palestinians were responsible for the Hamas attack on Israel. Israel has categorically rejected the inquiry's report, describing it as "distorted and false" and calling for the body's abolition.
Political Responses and Future Meetings
Prime Minister Albanese stressed that while people should be able to express their views peacefully, police had been clear about designated routes for any marches. "These are really scenes that I think shouldn't be taking place," the Prime Minister told local radio, emphasizing his distress at witnessing the violence.
Herzog's visit is expected to continue until Thursday, with plans to meet with families of victims from the Bondi attack. The Israeli President's presence in Australia has highlighted both the solidarity within the Jewish community and the deep political divisions surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza.
