Protesters planning to march through Sydney’s CBD during a visit by Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, have been asked to take an alternative route. Palestine Action The group prepared to challenge the Prime Minister’s use of special powers ahead of the rally.
New South Wales Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunston told reporters on Sunday that talks with Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group were continuing over the site of Monday night’s march.
The group plans to march from the town hall to the state parliament in violation of the ban on public gatherings. On Tuesday, the police extended.
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The extension restricts the authorization of protests under Form 1 policy, effectively banning marches in designated areas without risk of arrest. The current designated area includes the town hall and takes in the northern part of the CBD and the eastern suburbs, but excludes Hyde Park.
Dunstan urged the group to move to Hyde Park and instead to Belmore Park, saying it would “safely facilitate peaceful protest on the streets of Sydney”.
“I have concerns about the size of the town hall and the potential for it to overflow into public spaces, which could lead to conflict between police and protesters,” he said.
“For that reason, among many, I would ask them to consider switching and continue to negotiate with us.”
Dunstan asserts that Lees “went to great lengths to explain the motive and desire for a peaceful and safe protest”.
Premier Chris Minns said the alternative route would “dramatically reduce tensions in the city”.
“It was an obvious way to demonstrate that protests can happen … but also a respectful way for those in the city, who are mourning after the deadliest terrorist incident in the country’s history, to avoid confrontation on the city streets,” he said at a special press conference on Sunday.
“So far, that opportunity has not been taken, but NSW Police will continue to negotiate with protest organizers until the last moment and we hope that common sense will prevail.”
Remember Saturday enacted the state’s “major incident” lawgranting police additional powers to evacuate people, close certain locations and issue orders to prevent disruption or danger to public safety. Anyone who fails to comply with a police order can face penalties, including a fine of up to $5,500.
Lees confirmed on Sunday that the Palestine Action Group would file an emergency hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday to challenge the use of Mince’s powers, which he said “threaten the civil rights of everyone in NSW”.
“We are taking Chris Minns to court again. He has imposed extensive search, exclusion and behavioral restrictions across our city in an attempt to shut down dissent,” he said.
“This declaration gives police unprecedented powers across central Sydney for the duration of the visit, effectively criminalizing political expression and assembly.
“These laws are designed to intimidate and deter people from speaking out against war crimes and injustice.
“Instead of protecting human rights, the NSW government is using emergency-style powers to shield a visiting head of state from public scrutiny and accountability.”
A special Legal challenge by group It also continues to oppose NSW’s anti-protest laws passed after the Bondi attack.
Asked about the possible challenge, Dunstan said it was a matter for the government, not the police.
People expect 3,000 police officers to be deployed across Sydney during Herzog’s visit, with motorcades, clearway zones and fencing and barriers in the CBD over the next few days.
“With the tensions associated with this visit, you will see additional numbers, but people should feel confident going about their business as usual over the next few days,” Dunston said.
He advised those who want to attend the city from 5.30 pm to be aware of the important police operation and possible protest activities.
“We don’t want conflict. We want to ensure that it is handled in a peaceful and safe manner, and I believe we can achieve that by working with the Palestine Action Group,” Dunston said.
Minns urged “respect and calm as we get through the next four days.”
The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, invited Herzog after the anti-Semitic attack in Bondi on 14 December, saying his visit was intended to foster a “good sense of unity”. Major Jewish organizations and federal and state governments The utvas hailed Herzog’s visit as a moment of profound significance.
Other groups, including some Jewish Australian organisations, are calling for the Israeli president to be barred from entering the country. They accuse him of inciting genocide against Palestinians, which the UN commission, pointing to the UN as not speaking on behalf of the UN, passed a resolution in September 2025. Israel Genocide was committed in Gaza and Herzog, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defense Minister Yoav Gallant “incited the commission of genocide”.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the commission’s report, calling it “distorted and false” and saying it was “based entirely on Hamas lies.”
Palestinian Australian Ranim Emad, who plans to protest against Herzog’s visit on Monday, said the visit felt like a “slap in the face”.
“Many of us have lost tens, dozens of family members in Gaza, and no one can understand the feeling of another Palestinian mother or anyone else who unfortunately has to face such a painful loss,” she said.
