Labor Group Voices Alarm Over Police Response to Sydney Anti-Herzog Rally
The Labor Friends of Palestine, an internal assembly of rank-and-file Australian Labor Party members, has formally demanded an independent investigation into the actions of New South Wales police during a rally protesting Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia. The group expressed profound "distress and disgust" at the police response, accusing the NSW government of overseeing a "terrible erosion of civil liberties" in its handling of public demonstrations.
Eyewitness Accounts Detail Police Conduct
In a letter addressed to NSW police minister Yasmin Catley, the Labor Friends of Palestine detailed numerous incidents witnessed by its members at Monday's rally in Sydney. Eyewitness accounts and mobile phone footage captured officers pepper spraying demonstrators, punching a man with his hands raised, and forcibly dragging a group of Muslim men who were kneeling in prayer. The letter, signed by ordinary Labor members, stated: "We are disappointed that it is a Labor government – a government we worked to elect – that has presided over the terrible erosion of civil liberties in NSW."
The group specifically highlighted their "deep distress" at witnessing Muslim protesters being assaulted while engaged in prayer, describing the police behavior as "completely unwarranted and utterly reprehensible." They called for a thorough independent investigation into police conduct before, during, and after the Town Hall protest, urging authorities to develop a more progressive approach to protest policing that protects political expression.
Official Responses and Charges
NSW police confirmed that nine people were charged following the protest, with offences including assaulting police, assault, hindering police, and behaving in an offensive manner. An additional six individuals will receive court attendance notices for refusing or failing to comply with directions. Police had previously reported 27 arrests during the demonstration.
NSW premier Chris Minns defended police actions, claiming officers faced an "impossible situation" as they responded to protests while Herzog attended a major Jewish community event elsewhere in Sydney's central business district. Minns acknowledged that police actions would be investigated, including analysis of body-worn camera footage, but urged critics to consider the "full context" rather than making judgments based on brief social media clips.
Police minister Yasmin Catley stated during a press conference that officers had done a "good job under incredibly difficult circumstances," noting that police had described the crowd as more aggressive than previously encountered.
Political Reactions and Broader Context
The controversy has drawn responses from multiple political figures. NSW Labor MP Stephen Lawrence questioned police tactics, stating he had witnessed violence at the rally. Federal Islamophobia envoy Aftab Malik criticized what he described as "excessive and unprovoked force against Muslims peacefully praying," calling the actions "unacceptable" and demanding apologies from Minns and police.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who met with Herzog in Canberra on Wednesday, urged calm while acknowledging the right to peaceful demonstration. "I've consistently said that every life matters, whether Israeli or Palestinian and the violence that we saw last night was devastating," Albanese told parliament. Regarding the prayer incident, he noted many would "want to know all of the circumstances" but stated he would "allow the police to do their job."
The Labor Friends of Palestine emphasized in their letter that they call on authorities to ensure the right to political expression is protected and that similar protest situations are prevented in the future. The incident has sparked broader discussions about protest policing, civil liberties, and political expression in Australia amid international diplomatic visits.
