NSW Labor Backbenchers Defy Premier to Protest Israeli President's Visit
Three New South Wales Labor backbenchers have announced their intention to attend a protest in Sydney against the upcoming visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, directly defying Premier Chris Minns's opposition to such rallies. The move highlights deepening divisions within the state government over foreign policy and protest rights.
Defiance Amidst Controversy
Upper house MLCs Cameron Murphy, Stephen Lawrence, and Sarah Kaine confirmed they would participate in Monday evening's rally organised by the Palestine Action Group. This comes as part of nationwide demonstrations expected during Herzog's Australian tour. The backbenchers' decision directly contradicts Premier Minns's stance against protests following recent security concerns.
Cameron Murphy stated his reasoning bluntly: "We should not be welcoming to Australia the head of a state engaged in an ongoing genocide." He further criticised Herzog's record, alleging the Israeli president had "signed a bomb and has no regard for international law as an active supporter of illegal settlements."
Protest Restrictions and Legal Challenges
The planned protest occurs against the backdrop of extended restrictions on marches in designated Sydney areas. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon renewed these limitations for a fourth time this week, citing Herzog's visit as a contributing factor. The restrictions prevent authorised protests under the Form 1 system, potentially exposing marchers to arrest for offences like obstructing traffic.
Despite this, protest organisers have declared their intention to march from Town Hall to Macquarie Street, which falls within the restricted zone. They have called on police to facilitate peaceful demonstration. Stephen Lawrence, who is also a barrister, expressed concerns about the extended ban: "I'm just not sure that continually extending this thing to apply it to the visit of the Israeli president is actually going to make us more safe. It could be creating a flashpoint."
Political Divisions and Legal Nuances
The backbenchers' planned attendance exposes clear fractures within NSW Labor. Premier Minns acknowledged this division while maintaining cabinet unity: "Look, the cabinet's certainly not [divided]." He accepted there had been division in the wider party "or even Labor MPs... and that's been the way for a long period of time."
Sarah Kaine emphasised the legal complexities surrounding protest attendance: "We all just have to be aware that what is legal is nuanced." She confirmed her plans to attend "a legal protest" while objecting to Herzog's visit: "I don't think we should be welcoming someone to this country who is so heavily implicated in the actions that have resulted in the death of 75,000 innocent Gazans."
Broader Context and International Allegations
The protest occurs amidst serious international allegations against Israel. A UN commission concluded in September 2025 that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, specifically naming Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and then Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as having "incited the commission of genocide." Israel's foreign ministry has rejected this report as "distorted and false."
Herzog has previously described genocide cases against Israel at the International Court of Justice as "a form of blood libel" and defended his controversial 2023 statement about collective responsibility for Hamas attacks. The ICJ has yet to issue its final ruling on these matters.
Wider Political Support and Opposition
The protest has drawn support beyond Labor ranks. Greens MP for Newtown Jenny Leong declared: "If there's a march, I'll be marching. Neither the premier nor the police commissioner will stop me and the thousands of others who know genocide is wrong – and we have a right to protest."
Meanwhile, Premier Minns maintained his firm stance against disruptive protests: "We just can't have a riot in Sydney." He revealed police were negotiating with protest organisers about location arrangements, though he expressed doubt about Labor politicians facing arrest under recently passed legislation.
The situation represents a significant test for protest rights, political unity, and Australia's diplomatic relationships as the controversial visit approaches.
