NSW Police used extraordinary force against peaceful protesters opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog on February 9.
The violence followed a series of political and legal decisions by Chris Minns’ government that mis-characterised the protest. It is important to state the obvious; had the NSW and federal governments not invited a foreign leader, found by the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent Commission of Inquiry to have incited genocide, there would have been no protest and no police violence.
NSW Labor relied on laws designed to regulate public events to restrict and police the protest. However, Herzog’s appearance at the International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour was not a public event; it was a private, invite-only function.
Palestine Action Group lodged an urgent Supreme Court application to seek the removal of extra police powers under “special event” regulations Minns had just announced.
The outcome appeared predetermined. During proceedings the judge repeatedly echoed Minns about protecting 7000 “mourners” attending the International Convention Centre event; in effect their rights were prioritised over those 20,000 humanitarians who were outraged by his visit.
Why is it okay to erase the feelings of Palestinians and their allies, who are themselves in mourning after 2.5 years of genocide.
Police are aware the anti-genocide movement has been peaceful. However, throughout the court’s proceedings, there were repeated references to the December 14 Bondi attack — implicitly linking it to the pro-Palestine protest movement.
There is no connection, and none has ever been alleged on any evidentiary basis. To suggest there is, in a court of law, is an abomination.
The peaceful rally on February 9 included many Jews. Members of Jews Against the Occupation ’48 arrived early to Town Hall Square to ensure our newly-printed banners were clearly visible.
We tied one to the balcony balustrades to be in full view of the crowd. It stated: “Jews say no to war criminals here”. The banners were funded through community crowd funding and were intended to make it unmistakably clear that many Jews oppose Herzog’s visit.
When the rally began, we positioned ourselves prominently beneath the speakers and remained there for the duration. More Jewish protesters arrived and joined us, some of whom it should be noted reside in Bondi and were themselves affected by the December 14 massacre.
The protest was loud, powerful, full of emotion and entirely peaceful. Thousands upon thousands of us demanded Herzog’s arrest and chanted “Let us march”.
The crowd included many young people and many 50+ year old humanitarians, who have been protesting wars and injustice for decades. We are portrayed as “jobless” “paid by Iran” and “useful idiots”. We are business owners, teachers, medical professionals, lawyers, academics and everything in between.
During the protest, a Palestinian man approached us in the anti-Zionist Jewish line-up and hugged each of us in turn. He was in tears. His grief — and the grief of those mourning the destruction of Gaza — is afforded no recognition by the government or media. His tears broke me.
There was no violence or provocation at the rally site. Speakers included former Australian of the Year Grace Tame and Jewish journalist and author Antony Lowenstein who reminded us that a full-page ad in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that day list 1000+ names of Jewish Australian signatories saying Herzog should be arrested.
Police violence
While speakers addressed the rally, police were starting to unleash violence outside Town Hall Square. Thousands of people were attempting to enter the square but were prevented by police.
After the speakers concluded, protesters waited for approximately an hour, uncertain whether a march would be permitted. Police engaged the dangerous tactic of kettling.
During this time, reports emerged of pepper spray being deployed and large numbers of police officers were seen running through the crowd itching for a fight. It later became clear that hundreds of officers had been mobilised to confront, charge towards and chase protestors, demanding they disperse but giving them no way of doing it.
It appears that the police intention was to get the crowd to turn back on itself, just as it did during the Sydney Harbour Bridge March for Humanity.
Footage shows police punching people on the ground and assaulting Muslim women and men while they were praying. At least 25 people were arrested. One of those arrested was a Jewish protester who was handcuffed while attempting to leave the area. As at the time of writing, only nine people have been charged — and none with any of the new special offence powers.
Political responsibility, cost
On February 10, Minns told Channel 9’s Karl Stefanovic that the objective of the previous day’s police operation was to “avoid clashes” between roughly 7000 attendees heading to the International Convention Centre and tens of thousands of protesters. Avoid clashes with whom?
There is no evidence — none — that anyone in the pro-Palestine movement intended to identify or confront people attending a private event. The implication is insulting because, yet again, protesters were framed as the threat.
Minns’ explanation became the justification for the segregation of public space. The state prioritised the protection of ICC attendees — those attending a love-in with a war criminal — while the rest of the city was handed over to riot police and Raptor Squad officers.
The result was not the prevention of violence, but its creation and escalation.
At least four NSW Labor MPs attended the protest and I respect them putting their heads above the parapet, but they now have a responsibility to speak publicly and loudly about the violence meted out to peaceful protesters and to force their so-called leader out. They must question whether Minns’ loyalty is to the people of this state or to a small Zionist constituency and a foreign government accused of grave breaches of international law.
There is also a public interest question, yet to be answered: How much did the deployment of thousands of police officers cost the NSW taxpayer? This figure should be made public.
The mainstream media reporting of the February 9 protest appeared scripted. Within hours, we saw headlines including “Violence erupted” and “Police clash with protesters” — language that implies mutual responsibility.
NSW Police and sections of the media are trying to portray the movement as being violent, but the clips on social media — which have gone viral — show who instigated the violence.
Had authorities facilitated a peaceful march — as they have done over the past two and half years — the protest would have concluded without incident, as it did in more than 30 other rallies across the country that night.
However, Minns has been itching to turn police against the peaceful anti-genocide movement and Herzog being here was his chance to do it — another reason he should be forced to resign.
[Judith Treanor is a member of Jews Against the Occupation ’48.]