Police knew protesters planned to bring flares to Opera House rally

A flurry of emails outlines what police knew, and how they acted, ahead of the Opera House protest which descended into chaos. It comes as the Police Minister prepares to be probed on the matter.

NSW Police knew people were likely to bring flares to a pro-Palestinian rally at the Sydney Opera House on the night it was lit in the colours of Israel’s flag, emails released to parliament reveal.

They were also told the members of the Jewish community planned to gather at the forecourt to commemorate the October 7 attacks.

Internal emails between police staff, released to parliament, reveal new details about what police did in the days before the protest, which led to the Jewish community being told they should stay away from the Opera House for their own safety.

A flurry of emails over the weekend showed that NSW Police had been monitoring the proposed pro-Palestinian protest days before it occurred.

Intelligence gathered by police revealed people had been urged to attend the Opera House with “flares, flags, and drums”.

The protest at The Sydney Opera Housewhich descended into chaos. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

On the morning of the October 9 protest, a Chief Inspector informed superiors that “20 members of the Israeli community” planned to attend the Opera House “to show support” for Israel.

“The Palestinian Action Group have posted that they will also be attending SOH (Sydney Opera House) in protest of the government lighting up the sails,” she said.

She said Sydney Opera House security was “aware,” and would have a full security team onsite.

The pro-Palestinian rally marched on the Opera House as the sails were lit in Israel’s flag. Picture: AAP Image

The Jewish community was ultimately warned to stay away from the CBD on the evening of October 9 for their own safety.

Later that night fireworks and flares lit up the stairs of Sydney’s iconic Opera House moments after the blue and white colours of the Israeli flag lit up the Opera House sails, members of the crowd – which had earlier marched from Town Hall – started screaming “f*ck Israel”, and “f*ck the Jews”.

Police were aware that members of the Jewish community also planned to attend before they were told to avoid the CBD. Picture: AAP Image

In another chain of emails, someone from outside the NSW Police organisation advised senior Police that a pro-Israel “counter protest” had been organised for Town Hall at the same time as the Palestinian rally.

“We are trying all that we can to urge them not to proceed,” the email states.

That email is believed to have come from Jewish security group CSG

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley during a press conference at the Sydney Police Centre after the protest. She faces Budget estimates today. Picture: Nikki Short

Premier Chris Minns ultimately apologised for failing to keep Jewish people safe. Picture: Nikki Short

Later, a NSW Police employee said that the pro-Israel rally had been cancelled.

“The planned counter-protest by members of the Jewish community has been cancelled, with a comment saying this was at the request of police.”

Police Minister Yasmin Catley has been the centre of a political storm over the handling of the pro-Palestinian protests.

Ms Catley is set to face a budget estimates hearing on Tuesday where she will be probed about the matter.

Premier Chris Minns ultimately apologised for failing to ensure the Opera House forecourt was a safe place for members of the Jewish community to commemorate the October 7 attacks when the sails were lit in Israel’s colours.

Originally published as Police knew protesters planned to bring flares to Opera House rally