The NSW Government has announced special arrangements for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia, including increased police powers and fines for non-compliance.
Premier Chris Minns said the provisions were intended “to keep people safe, reduce temperatures and ensure Sydney remains calm and orderly”.
Starting Sunday, Herzog will make one five day visit to Australia to meet with federal leaders and victims of the terrorist attack on Bondiwhere 15 people were killed and dozens of others injured when gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration.
Protests are planned in Australian capitals and regional centres, including a large demonstration in Sydney on Monday evening.
Minns said there would be a “significant security and logistics operation” in Sydney on Monday, with 3,000 police officers deployed, including 500 for the protest.
“This is an important visit for our country, and it is of great importance to the Jewish community of New South Wales as they continue to mourn and recover from the horrific terrorist attack on December 14,” he said in a statement.
“We cannot allow a situation where mourners and protesters come into close contact on city streets without a strong police presence.”
Increased police powers under declaration
The visit has been declared a major event under the Major Events Act 2009, which allows police to take crowd control measures and maintain separation between different groups to reduce the risk of confrontation.
According to the legislation, the police may search anyone who wants to enter a designated large event area or is already there.
The law also contains provisions that allow the police to “limit the number of persons who may enter a large event site or part of a large event site.”
It also prohibits the use of “indecent, obscene or threatening language” and any conduct that is considered “offensive or indecent” or that “causes[s] serious alarm or insult to any person by disorderly conduct”.
Failure to comply with police instructions may result in fines of up to $5,500 or exclusion from the main event site.
“These regulations do not ban protests or marches. People retain the right to express their views lawfully,” the NSW government said in a statement.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said police would use the powers “carefully and proportionately, with the safety of the community as a clear priority”.
Mixed reactions to Herzog’s visit
Herzog was then formally invited to Australia by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a previous invitation from the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA).
His visit was welcomed as a moment of “deep meaning” for some groupswhile others, including some Jewish Australians and pro-Palestinian groups, want the invitation withdrawn.
The ZFA said it would host several major Jewish community events in Sydney and Melbourne during the visit.
“The Australian Jewish community is honored to welcome President Herzog at a moment of great significance,” said ZFA President Jeremy Leibler.
The state government stressed that the major events provisions do not include a ban on protests or marches, but are intended to support public safety during a “complex period” involving multiple large gatherings and significant police presence.
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said Sydney must “ensure we get the balance right”.
“This visit is of great significance to many in our community, providing them with an opportunity to honor and mourn the victims of the Bondi terror attack.
“We must be able to welcome international visitors while ensuring our city remains safe, welcoming and respectful to all.”
The police warn of possible arrests
On Friday, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan urged the Palestine Action Group, which is organizing the Sydney rally, to reconsider the proposed route, which runs through the CBD from City Hall to Parliament.
“We don’t want to be in a situation where we are at City Hall on Monday with a significant number of people enforcing the declaration,” he told reporters.
“That can and will easily lead to arrests.”
The protest organizers’ previously announced route has been banned under a declaration allowing the NSW Police Commissioner to refuse to allow public gatherings in key parts of the city, part of a series of laws rushed through the NSW Parliament in the aftermath of the Bondi attack.
Palestine Action Group organizer Josh Lees has defended the group’s choice of location.
“We are asserting our right to protest at Sydney Town Hall because it is the most visible city square we have in this city for peaceful assembly and demonstration,” he said.
“We will not allow ourselves to be taken to a park out of sight or out of mind on a dark weekday evening. That is not consistent with a real right to protest.”
A group of 13 MPs, including four members of the Minns government, have also written a letter to the state police commissioner, urging him to allow the march to go ahead.
“It is time for calm heads to prevail… the role of the state government is to ensure the safety of the community,” said Labor backbencher and signatory of the letter Stephen Lawrence.
“A safe, peaceful march to parliament is achievable, I believe, and I call on the police to work effectively and constructively with the organisers.”
— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
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