NSW Police were warned Palestinian crowd was ‘incensed’ over decision to light up Opera House

Police were warned Sydney’s Palestinian community was “incensed” by the Premier’s decision to light up the Opera House in Israeli flag colours ahead of their rally, new documents show.

Police were warned Sydney’s Palestinian community had been “incensed” by Premier Chris Minns’ decision to light up the Opera House in the colours of the Israeli flag just hours before a rowdy protest descended into objects being hurled at cops and anti-Semitic chants being sung on the steps of the iconic landmark.

New documents released to parliament also show police were only made aware of the Minns Government’s plans to light up the sails minutes before the details were aired publicly in the media, including in The Daily Telegraph.

Messages between senior police and staff, released to parliament on Tuesday, reveal a scramble to prepare for the march on the Opera House in the 24 hours before it kicked off on Monday afternoon, October 9.

It shows police were only made aware of the move to light the sails minutes before it was revealed publicly on the Sunday.

Emails from Christine McDonald, the chief of staff for police commissioner Karen Webb who was on leave at the time, detailed her concerns.

New documents released to parliament also show police were only made aware of the Minns Government’s plans to light up the sails minutes before the details were aired publicly. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

“(Acting Commissioner David) Hudson and I are both equally concerned at the impact this might have on our streets, and potential further escalation of current tensions in the Jewish/Israeli communities,” Ms McDonald wrote in an email to another senior police officer on Sunday afternoon.

“Can we please request an urgent threat assessment on what the impact/risk of lighting sails tomorrow evening may mean?”

The documents show that police were made aware of the pro-Palestine rally’s intention to march from Town Hall to the Opera House shortly after midday on Monday, October 9.

“It is the case that the Opera House is now the location for the protest and not Town Hall,” one email, sent by a chief inspector with the police’s engagement and hate crime unit, said.

“(A community contact) says the reason for the move is the sails of the Opera House being lite (sic) up. That is a significant concern for the Palestinian community and they are incensed by that decision”.

The gathering kicked off. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Another internal email between police said a community contact was concerned “that the lighting of the Opera House will escalate community tensions”.

“He was also concerned that attempts may be made to somehow disrupt the lighting of the Opera House,” the officer wrote.

The new documents detail what occurred behind the scenes after the pro-Palestine rally earlier this month spilt on to the streets with an unauthorised march down to the Opera House.

Once there, sections of the crowd of hundreds chanted anti-Semitic slurs, while an Israeli flag was also burned.

Multiple flares were also lit by some members of the crowd and hurled on to the steps of the Opera House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Multiple flares were also lit by some members of the crowd and hurled on to the steps of the Opera House, while objects including a water-filled bottle were lobbed at police.

Premier Minns, following the march, has maintained it was the right decision to light up the Opera House sail in the colours of the Israeli flag to show support for the NSW Jewish community.

It came as Deputy Premier Prue Car, who was the acting premier on the day of the march, was grilled on the issue in budget estimates.

“I was not briefed about what was planned to occur that evening,” said Ms Car, who also confirmed she did not discuss the matter with the Police Minister Yasmin Catley or the Premier Chris Minns, who was on leave at the time.

The Telegraph understands the Premier was available on the day and was being actively briefed throughout, so Ms Car was not required to be briefed.

The Premier has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as NSW Police were warned Palestinian crowd was ‘incensed’ over decision to light up Opera House