Premier apologises, pledges rally ban amid police operation but protester defiance
NSW Police have admitted they ‘can’t stop a thousand people’ from descending on the Sydney CBD for another pro-Palestine rally but have promised to meet them with ‘a heavy police presence’.
The NSW Police Force has admitted it “can’t stop a thousand people” from descending on the Sydney CBD on Sunday for another pro-Palestine rally but it has promised to meet them with “a heavy presence” amid what appeared increasingly likely to be a protest showdown.
It comes as NSW Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday apologised to the Jewish community for Monday’s Opera House events – at which a pro-Palestine demonstration descended into anti-Semitic chants and the burning of Israeli flags – saying he took “full responsibility”, pledging to ban a second rally.
“Protest organisers have already proven they’re not peaceful. Shouting racial epithets at Jewish community members is not the definition of a peaceful protest,” Mr Minns said.
“The idea that they’re going to commandeer Sydney’s streets is not going to happen.”
Police confirmed the rally – organised by the same group as Monday’s – would not be authorised, given safety concerns and the fact the requisite approval forms had been filed too late.
However, the organisers told The Australian they would turn up regardless, and police conceded they would be unable to stop the mass crowd gathering in Sydney’s CBD.
“We can’t stop a thousand people all gathering at the same place,” acting police commissioner Dave Hudson said.
“We don’t have the powers to stop people from convening.”
However, he said the launch of the force’s Operation Shelter – established to monitor and act on rallies and safety threats – would allow the police to “co-ordinate resources”.
“To anyone at a protest with intent to cause fear, harm, or commit a criminal offence, our message is very clear: you will be arrested,” Mr Hudson said.
Palestine Action Group Sydney organiser Josh Lees said the protest would go ahead. “We have a right to protest and we won’t stop until Israel stops bombing innocent civilians and lifts the blockade on Palestine,” he said.
Mr Lees blamed a “fringe minority” for the scenes at the Opera House and said the decision to light the sails in the Israeli flag was “provocative”.
“We’re confident (Sunday’s rally) will be peaceful and the comments today from the Premier are a terrible stance – we have a right to protest,” he said.
It sets up the potential for clashes, with at least 500 people expected to descend on the CBD on Sunday for the rally, with police expected to more forcefully intervene.
Rod Roberts, a 20-year policeman before entering parliament, said it may be too late. “The approach they’re taking this weekend should have been adopted from the get go,” the MP said.
Mr Roberts asked why no one had been arrested on sight on Monday for hate speech.
“It happened right in front of them, it can’t be too hard to identify,” he said.
Jewish community members praised Mr Minns’s apology on Wednesday and the tougher stance. “The Premier has offered strong and steadfast support to the Jewish community and the decision to light up the Opera House was made in that spirit,” NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said.
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