What happens when protest meets power—and neither side backs down? Sydney found out the hard way this week.
Australian police are defending their response after chaotic scenes erupted during a protest against a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Videos from Monday night show officers charging crowds, throwing punches, and dragging protesters away.
Footage that quickly went viral and sparked outrage.
Police say they had no choice. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon insisted officers showed “remarkable restraint,” claiming they were outnumbered and assaulted.
With 27 arrests made and 10 officers injured. “They did what they needed to do,” he said.
Protest Escalates
Protesters tell a very different story. Organisers say the rally—peaceful at first—boiled over.
It only after police blocked demonstrators from marching.
A restriction imposed under new “major event” powers rushed through just days earlier.
“All of this could have been avoided,” said Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group. “We should have had the right to march.”
Among those hurt was Greens MP Abigail Boyd, who said she was shoved to the ground despite identifying herself as a parliamentarian.
Footage of Muslim men being dragged away while praying drew condemnation from religious leaders, who called it “deeply disturbing.”
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “devastated” by the scenes—though he stood by the decision to invite Herzog.
In a city used to loud debate, the question now lingers: when does keeping order start looking like silencing dissent?
