Port chaos: Arrests as police clash with pro-Palestine protesters

Police have charged 19 people who gathered at an unauthorised pro-Palestine rally at Port Botany to protest against the unloading of an Israeli-owned shipping company vessel.

NSW Police have charged 19 people who gathered at an unauthorised pro-Palestine rally at Port Botany to protest against the unloading of an Israeli-owned shipping company vessel overnight.

Dozens of protesters assembled on Foreshore Rd chanting “free Palestine”, banging drums and waving Palestinian flags near the port’s loading dock just after 8.30pm.

It was the third activist rally over the weekend with protesters targeting an event featuring a pro-Israel author in the inner west and another gathering in the Sydney CBD on Saturday.

Last night, activists gathered to protest “against the Israeli ZIM shipping line” after a ship running a service for the company, the Ganges, docked at the port.

The group, which gathered in nearby parkland, chanted slogans including “From the river to the sea” and “ZIM out of Botany, bombs out of Gaza” before several speakers took to the microphone, including Australian Greens deputy leader and Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

Up to 19 people were charged after the Pro-Palestine activists gathered at Port Botany. Picture: Supplied

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi spoke at the protest. Picture: Supplied

The activists gathered near Foreshore Rd before marching towards the port. Picture: Supplied

Senator Faruqi thanks protesters for their “solidarity” and lashed out at the heavy police presence at the site, taking aim at NSW’s “draconian” protest laws.

“Absolute shame on police,” she said as the crowd cheered.

“These tactics are used to intimidate to scare us.”

She also lashed out at the Albanese government: “ How ruthless and cruel can you be to aid abet and arm Israel.”

“ZIM shipping should never be welcome in this country.”

The group then marched down the asphalt of Foreshore Road towards the entrance of the port, stopping short of a heavy line of police barring the way and continuing to chant.
After 9:30, a senior police officer approached the group with a loudhailer and began telling protesters to move on or face arrest, to which the activists sat down on the road and chanted over the top of him.

Pro-Palestine activists gathered at Port Botany on Sunday night to protest the docking of an Israeli container ship. Picture: Supplied

Pro-Palestine activists gathered at Port Botany on Sunday night to protest the docking of an Israeli container ship. Picture: Supplied

But the peaceful protest quickly turned ugly when scuffles erupted between the activists and police.

Just before 10pm, police moved in to break up the group with some activists screaming and booing as police led several people away, while pushing the protest group back up the road in the direction they came from.

The protest came to an end about 10:30pm.

It comes after a large crowd of supporters, including some wearing keffiyehs and toting handmade signs, gathered outside the Enmore Theatre in Newtown on Sunday afternoon as British author Douglas Murray spoke at the “Uncomfortable Conversations” show inside, chanting “Free Palestine” and “shame Enmore Theatre shame”.

Mr Murray, a pro-Israel author of books including The Strange Death of Europe and The Madness of Crowds, appeared at two live shows on Sunday afternoon and evening hosted by former ABC Weekend Breakfast Host Josh Szeps.

British author Douglas Murray. Picture: Getty Images

Last month, a petition organised by the self-described “leftist anti-Zionist” group Tzedek Collective attracted nearly 1,500 signatures, calling for the Enmore Theatre to cancel his appearance.

At the time, Mr Murray said he had been subjected to a “concerted campaign” wherever he spoke which he said was “because of my support for Israel, it’s driving them mad.”

Protesters at Port Botany earlier this month. Picture: AFP

Protesters clashed with attendees of the show inside, with activists seen yelling as people exited the theatre after the first show ended mid-afternoon.

The group were met with a heavy police presence, including riot squad officers who formed a wall between protesters and the theatre, while other officers issued several protesters move-on orders.
On Saturday, three protesters were arrested after another event held on Saturday, where pro—Palestine activists gathered at Hyde Park to again protest the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Police allege the trio produced bottles containing red liquid before spraying officers with them.

A 58-year-old woman and two men, aged 68 and 26, were arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where all three were charged with assaulting police and malicious damage.

They were refused to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 2 April 2024.

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