Chaos Erupts at Sydney Town Hall as Protests Target Israeli President’s Visit
News Report posted Tuesday 10 February,2026/Image Credits A.Ritenis
SYDNEY – Violent clashes broke out between New South Wales Police and thousands of demonstrators outside Sydney Town Hall on Monday night, February 9, 2026. The protest, aimed at the state visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, resulted in 27 arrests and multiple reports of injuries as police deployed pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
A Tense Standoff
The demonstration began peacefully at approximately 5:30 PM, with a crowd estimated in the thousands gathering to voice opposition to President Herzog’s arrival in Australia. Herzog is currently on a multi-city tour intended to show solidarity with the Jewish community following the December 14 mass shooting in Bondi.
However, the atmosphere shifted as the evening progressed. Authorities had previously declared Herzog’s visit a “major event,” granting police sweeping, rarely-invoked powers under the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD). These powers allowed officers to search vehicles and individuals without warrants and to restrict movement within the CBD.
Chants and Confrontation
The crowd was vocal, with the square echoing with pro-Palestinian slogans. Central to the demonstration were repeated chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a phrase that has been at the center of recent legislative debate in Australia regarding hate speech laws.
The situation deteriorated when a group of protesters attempted to march toward the International Convention Centre (ICC), where President Herzog was addressing a community event.
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Police Response: Hundreds of officers, including those on horseback, formed lines to block the march.
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Tactics Used: When the crowd refused to disperse, police deployed pepper spray and tear gas.
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Arrests: NSW Police confirmed 27 arrests, with 10 individuals charged specifically with assaulting police officers.”The police were put in an impossible situation,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns, defending the police action. “It would have been infinitely worse if NSW police didn’t do their job last night.”
Allegations of Excessive Force
The police response has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and local officials. Footage emerged appearing to show officers physically removing a group of Muslim men while they were kneeling in prayer.
Cumberland City Councillor Ahmed Ouf was reportedly among those pepper-sprayed, while Greens MP Sue Higginson claimed to have witnessed “serious police violence,” including media personnel being shoved and young women being thrown against walls. The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) released a statement expressing “outrage” over the interference with religious worship.
Diplomatic Context
President Herzog, speaking from a secure location nearby, addressed the unrest by stating that such demonstrations seek to “undermine and delegitimize” Israel’s right to exist. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed that he was “devastated” by the scenes of violence, reiterating that while the right to peaceful protest is fundamental, it must be conducted within the routes and rules set by law enforcement.
President Herzog is scheduled to remain in Australia until February 12, with further demonstrations expected in Melbourne and Canberra.
