1000+ police to attend this weekend’s pro-Palestine rally in Sydney

More than 1,000 NSW Police officers will be deployed to deal with an unauthorised pro-Palestinian rally on Sunday, as police deal with the embarrassing fallout from allowing a similar protest at the Opera House to be taken over by masked thugs.

More than 1,000 NSW Police officers will be deployed to deal with an unauthorised pro-Palestinian rally on Sunday, as police deal with the embarrassing fallout from allowing a similar protest at the Opera House to be taken over by masked thugs burning Israeli flags, lighting flares and chanting “f--k the Jews.”

The massive police deployment this weekend for the upcoming rally comes as Premier Chris Minns warns that anyone who incites violence or hatred on Sunday will be “dealt with by Police”.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal NSW Police are in talks with legal experts about what legislation they can use to diffuse protesters using hateful or racially abusive language on Sunday, if radical “fringe” protesters defy calls to stay away.

It’s understood more than 1,000 police will be deployed in an attempt to diffuse the expected rally as part of Operation Shelter.

Organisers have vowed to press ahead with the protest despite police rejecting the group’s application to hold the event.

Mr Minns urged anyone planning to gather at the pro-Palestinian rally to stay home.

“My message is don’t attend the rally on Sunday,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Sydney’s CBD and in front of the Opera House in a rally against Israel.

“No one should celebrate war. No one should celebrate the death of innocent civilians,” he said.

“If protesters march, incite violence or hatred in a public place, they will be dealt with by police.”

Publicly threatening or inciting violence on the basis of race or religion is an offence with a maximum penalty of a $220,000 fine, three years imprisonment, or both.

Chris Minns on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire

However, government sources yesterday suggested it could be difficult to lay a hate speech charge against someone in a live protest environment.

Currently, police need to refer a brief of evidence to the Director of Public Prosecution before they can be charged with hate speech.

“What we will be looking at is if we can use other means to get protesters who cross the line with hateful language by charging them with incitement or intimidation and then later upgrade the charges,” police sources said.

Another senior police officer said that every effort is being made to stop any planned march before it occurs.

“The real problem is the fringe element which will have to be targeted before Sunday. We think it may be called off, then the problem will be the lunatic element trying to organise a spontaneous protests via social media,’’ they said.

“If they cross the line, we will find a way to detain them.” senior police source said. 

Participants of a Free Palestine rally react outside Sydney Opera House in Sydney on Monday. Picture: AAP Image

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called for officers to arrest protesters who break the law at the unauthorised protest.

“The law is there to be enforced,” he said.

“Hate speech and inciting violence have no place in NSW, and if there are people doing that the police should enforce the law.”

His comments were echoed by Opposition Police spokesman Paul Toole who called for anyone engaging in hate speech or inciting violence to be “charged and arrested”.

Mr Speakman yesterday called on Police Minster Yasmin Catley to be sacked over her handling of Monday’s protest at which an Israeli flag was burned, flares were thrown, and protesters yelled anti-Semitic chants including “f--k the Jews”.

Ms Catley eventually offered a qualified apology over the events of Monday night, telling parliament: “I apologise for anyone if they feel unsafe,” she said.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley offered a qualified apology. Picture: NCA NewsWire

She said the government “shares the regret” that the Jewish community was not able to gather at the Opera House on Monday.

However, she said that she had no power to stop the pro-Palestinian protest which led to the violent scenes.

“Decision making around public gatherings and demonstrations should be left to the New South Wales Police Force who have extensive experience in mass gatherings and public safety,” she said.

Palestine Action Group Sydney organiser Josh Lees said Sunday’s protest at Town Hall will be going ahead.

“We will be there to peacefully protest – we won’t be clashing with the police and we hope they won’t clash with us,” he said.

“The protesters who lit flares (on Sunday) were not part of the protest – they arrived later in the night and were not part of the group, but of course people were angry – thousands of Palestinians have been killed.”