Key Takeaways
- The NSW Police commissioner has announced an extension of restrictions on protests in Sydney ahead of the visit of Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog.
- The restrictions, which were introduced after a terror attack on a Hanukkah festival in December, will be in place for a further 14 days.
- The laws enabling police to refuse authorization for protests were rushed through state parliament in December, and can be extended in two-week increments for up to three months.
- A coalition of pro-Palestinian and First Nations groups have launched a challenge against the Minns government in court, arguing the protest laws are unconstitutional and violate the right to freedom of political communication.
- The visit of President Herzog has been met with controversy, with some groups planning protests and others welcoming the visit as an opportunity to build social cohesion.
Introduction to the Situation
The NSW Police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has announced that restrictions on protests in Sydney will be extended for a further 14 days, ahead of the visit of Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog. The restrictions were introduced after a terror attack on a Hanukkah festival in December, which left 15 people dead. The laws enabling police to refuse authorization for protests were rushed through state parliament in December, and can be extended in two-week increments for up to three months. The restricted area includes parts of Sydney’s CBD and the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, but excludes Hyde Park.
The Visit of President Herzog
President Herzog is expected to arrive in Sydney on February 8 for a four-day visit, which has been met with controversy. Some groups have planned protests against the visit, while others have welcomed it as an opportunity to build social cohesion. Commissioner Lanyon has said that there is "significant animosity" surrounding the visit, and that police will be deploying 3,000 police shifts to ensure community safety. The visit has also been met with criticism from some groups, who argue that President Herzog has been accused of war crimes and that his visit is not welcome.
Protest Laws and Community Safety
The protest laws introduced in December have been met with criticism from some groups, who argue that they are unconstitutional and violate the right to freedom of political communication. A coalition of pro-Palestinian and First Nations groups have launched a challenge against the Minns government in court, arguing that the laws are not necessary to ensure community safety. Commissioner Lanyon has said that the laws are necessary to ensure calm in the wake of the Bondi attack, and that police will be working to balance the right to free speech with the need to ensure community safety.
Reaction to the Visit
The visit of President Herzog has been met with a range of reactions, from welcoming statements from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to criticism from some groups. Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly has declined to endorse the visit, while others have argued that it is an opportunity to build social cohesion. Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group Sydney has said that a planned protest will still go ahead, despite the restrictions, as it is a legal right to gather for public assembly. Alex Ryvchin from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry has said that the visit will "lift the spirits" of survivors and families of those killed in the Bondi attack.
Investigation into Antisemitic Incidents
Commissioner Lanyon has also announced that police are investigating 10 acts of antisemitic incidents from the past two weeks, and that Jewish people have been subjected to threatening phone calls. The incidents are being taken seriously by police, who are working to ensure that the Jewish community feels safe and supported. The investigation is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the extension of restrictions on protests in Sydney ahead of the visit of President Herzog has been met with controversy and criticism from some groups. The laws enabling police to refuse authorization for protests have been met with challenges in court, and the visit has been met with a range of reactions. While some groups have welcomed the visit as an opportunity to build social cohesion, others have argued that it is not welcome and that President Herzog has been accused of war crimes. The situation remains complex and contentious, and it is likely that the debate will continue in the coming days.
