NSW Police seek to prohibit pro-Palestine protest on anniversary of October 7 attack

Police in New South Wales are attempting to stop pro-Palestinian protests that are planned for the anniversary of October 7.

Police are attempting to stop pro-Palestinian protests that are planned for October 6 and 7 in New South Wales, marking the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on southern Israel and the start of the Israeli military’s retaliatory strikes.

Those strikes have killed more than 40,000 people, most of whom are civilians, according to estimates from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

The attack by Hamas militants on October 7 last year killed more than a thousand Israelis, with hundreds more taken back to Gaza as hostages.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the protests in Sydney on the one-year anniversary of the war. On Tuesday night, NSW Police said it was “not satisfied” the protests could “proceed safely”.

Pro-Palestinian protesters in Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw/NewsWire

“The NSW Police Force is aware of upcoming planned protest activity in Sydney on Sunday,” the police said in a statement.

“Officers from Operation Shelter have conducted negotiations with protest organisers.”

Those organisers have submitted a request for a protest permit. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb is inclined to deny it.

“The Commissioner has decided to apply to the NSW Supreme Court to prohibit the two assemblies,” the statement read.

“The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority for the NSW Police Force is the safety of the participants and the wider community.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

On Tuesday, hundreds of people gathered in Sydney for a memorial service paying tribute to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader killed in an Israeli strike.

Hezbollah, a political party and militant group, is classified as a terrorist organisation by Austrlaia and other Western nations, including the United States and United Kingdom.

Speakers at the Tuesday memorial described Nasrallah as a “supporter of the oppressed”, according to The Australian.

“When martyrs depart, they leave behind a timeless legacy of good deeds and reputation that forges a path for future generations who will carry forward the ideology and movement,” said one community leader.

“This is what our martyrs would have wanted so that their blood is not shed in vain.”

Hassan Nasrallah. Picture: Joseph Barrak/AFP

At another event, in the suburb Banksia, speakers claimed the community was “indebted” to Nasrallah and described his death as a “tragedy”.

“The blood of our martyrs are a testament of honour and we owe them all a great debt,” one such speaker said.

“We are talking about a man who entered history.”

The Australian Federal Police have said they will investigate “at least six reports of crime” relating to the vigils

“The AFP has no tolerance for individuals who break the law and will use its extensive capability and networks to take action,” the AFP said.

“Matters referred to the AFP will be reviewed to determine if actions reach thresholds to charge under the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment.”

Some attendees at the events reportedly carried pro-Hezbollah imagery. The law in question imposes potential jail time on people who display terrorist symbols.

Meanwhile the NSW Faith Affairs Council, which includes leaders from the Anglican Church, Buddhist Council of NSW, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and more than 10 other faiths, met on Tuesday following reports of the memorials being held.

“As people of faith, we recognise that our common humanity makes us one family, and we embrace each other as brothers and sisters,” the council said.

“We acknowledge the pain many in our community are feeling due to events in the Middle East. We implore those who are grieving to find solace in the compassion and understanding of others, and to refrain from any words or acts which promote hate and resentment or incite violence.

“Our state has shown great resilience throughout these times of conflict, but our social cohesion is something we cannot take for granted.

“As community and faith leaders we are committed to working within our various congregations and communities to promote peace, harmony and understanding in NSW and to stand together as fellow Australians.”

– with NewsWire