Sydney protest turns violent during Herzog visit
Thousands rally nationwide during President Isaac Herzog’s visit as police clash with protesters in Sydney.
(THE TIMES OF ISRAEL) Thousands gathered across Australia on Monday to protest the arrival of President Isaac Herzog, who is on a multi-city trip aimed at expressing solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community following a deadly mass shooting last year.
Herzog is visiting Australia this week at the invitation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the aftermath of the December 14 shooting at a Chanukah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.
The visit has drawn criticism from some in Australia, who accuse Herzog of being complicit in civilian deaths in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel groups organised protests in cities and towns across the country on Monday evening.
In Sydney, thousands gathered in a square in the city’s central business district, listening to speeches and chanting pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel slogans. The rally later turned violent, with police deploying pepper spray on protesters and members of the media, including AFP.
An AFP journalist reported seeing at least 15 protesters arrested following scuffles with police.
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