The NSW premier says authorities will take action against a pro-Palestinian protest planned for this weekend after racial epithets were chanted and flares lit in a rally outside the Sydney Opera House this week.
Key points:
- Premier Chris Minns says a planned rally will not be allowed “commandeer Sydney streets”
- A protest organiser says they will mount a legal challenge over the move
- Police are investigating after anti-Semitic words and flares were used at the Monday rally
Palestinian Action Group Sydney organised a follow-up gathering for this weekend at the city’s town hall to condemn the Israeli military response to a terror attack by Hamas militants.
Hamas gunman launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, firing rockets, killing civilians and taking hostages when they broke out of Gaza into southern Israel.
In response, Israel declared war against the terror group and vowed to deny its civilian population access to electricity, food or water.
More than 1,000 people are reported to have been killed in Hamas attacks, and another 830 people reported died in retaliatory strikes into Gaza by Israel in the days since.
A rally was held on the forecourt steps of the opera house on Monday night, while the sails of the building were lit up in the colours of the Israeli flag.
Protesters chanted slogans like “f… the Jews”, “free Palestine” and “shame Israel”, and were condemned by state and federal politicians.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley later said the organisers did not fill out necessary paperwork, and that the Monday march was not approved.
Premier Chris Minns said on Wednesday morning the protesters will not be allowed to “commandeer Sydney streets” again, although permission for a gathering planned for Sunday could still be granted.
“It’s really important to note that putting in a form to use Sydney streets requires the permission of police because of jaywalking and civil obstruction of the natural order of the city,” Mr Minns said.
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“It requires coordination and this group has shown that they’re not a peaceful organisation.
“Some organisers say it’s been hijacked – whatever – the results was hatred on the streets of Sydney, and the police won’t allow them to commandeer our streets.”
In NSW, protest organisers need to obtain permits from the Commissioner of Police known as a notice of intention to hold a public assembly.
It can take up to a week for the necessary form to be processed, Ms Catley said.
Rally organiser flags legal challenge
Protest organiser Fahad Ali said police had previously thanked them for their cooperation and agreed to the planned march route.
“We are going ahead regardless and we are mounting a legal challenge,” he said.
“This intervention by the commissioner is an affront to freedom of expression and free assembly as the civilian death toll in Gaza continues to climb from Israel’s indiscriminate bombing.
