Extract from ABC News
Police and protesters clash at Sydney's Town Hall.
Protesters have clashed with police, with some restrained and led away in handcuffs, as tensions flared at a Sydney protest rally against visiting Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
NSW Police said 27 people were arrested, including 10 for assaulting police, and officers deployed pepper spray at the protest attended by thousands at Sydney Town Hall.
Scuffles broke out after officers attempted to disperse protesters as they tried to push past barricades and march through the city to State Parliament, which would have been prohibited under current protest restrictions.
Restrictions on non-static protests in parts of Sydney's CBD and eastern suburbs which were introduced after the December 14 massacre were last week extended for another fortnight ahead of the demonstrations.
Hundreds of police officers were in attendance at the protest. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Police made a number of arrests at the demonstration. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said officers were "jostled, threatened and assaulted" when police intervened to disperse the crowd when speakers invited those in attendance to march.
"We did not want conflict, we did not want clashes with protesters," he told a late-night media conference on Monday.
He said 10 officers were injured in "melees" and "rolling fights" but no-one was seriously hurt in the violence.
He said members of Palestine Action Group (PAG), which organised the demonstration, were not cooperative and needed to rebuild trust with NSW Police.
Greens senator for NSW David Shoebridge has shared a video on social media that appears to show a protester being punched multiple times by a group of police.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said police were aware of videos circulating on social media showing the clashes between police and protesters.
"Out of context, we can understand why people would be concerned,"he said.
Protesters could be heard chanting "We will march, we will march" as things became heated.
The rally went ahead despite the PAG losing a last-minute legal challenge against the NSW Government's decision to grant police expanded powers under a major event declaration during the president's visit.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said police used powers under both the public assembly restriction declaration and major event declaration.
There is a heavy police presence at Sydney Town Hall, as protesters gather.
Attendees carried Palestinian flags and signs criticising Mr Herzog's presence in Australia.
Prior of the visit NSW Police said about 3,000 officers would be stationed across the city during his trip, with 500 in the CBD ahead of the protest.
Pepper spray was used by police officers on some members of the crowd. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Scuffles broke out in the crowd. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
One rally attendee said she was "slightly worried" about the heightened security.
"I think it would be pretty silly to not look around and feel a bit intimidated by the police presence here," she said.
Some demonstrators were treated for the effects of pepper spray used by police. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
A sign reading 'Arrest Herzog' at the protest at Town Hall (ABC News: Digby Werthmuller)
Police said it took "hours" to disperse the crowd.
Mr Herzog is visiting Jewish communities as part of a four-day tour initiated by the governor-general and prime minister to support people grieving those killed in an attack on a Hanukkah gathering.
While Mr Herzog's visit has been welcomed by much of the Jewish community, the protesters were angered by his presence in Australia given the war in Gaza.
A United Nations special inquiry found Mr Herzog was among Israeli leaders who incited the commission of genocide in Gaza, and his comments are in South Africa's genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.
The allegation of genocide is rejected by Israel, and Mr Herzog maintains his comments have been taken out of context.
Protesters could be seen waving Palestinian flags in the Sydney CBD. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Less than a kilometre away from the protest, police asked the 4,000 strong crowd at a Sydney event for Mr Herzog to stay inside the building while protesters dispersed at Town Hall.
Police at the International Convention Centre event reiterated there was no threat, but that attendees should wait for 30 minutes while authorities put a plan in place to avoid crossover between the two groups.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi terror attack during a visit to Sydney. (ABC News)
Hundreds rally in Hobart
Hundreds in Hobart protested Mr Herzog's visit this afternoon.
Former Labor senator Margaret Reynolds said she took issue with Mr Herzog being invited to Australia as an "official guest".
"Welcoming the president of a state that has behaved as the Netanyahu regime has behaved in the last couple of years is a national and an international outrage," she said.
Protester Josephine Ann-Smith was one of hundreds who attended a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia in the wake of the Bondi terror attack. (February 9, 2026) (ABC News: Kate Nickels)
Attendee Josephine Ann-Smith said she was pleased with the large turnout.
"It's our responsibility, each of us, to stand up and speak out when things are wrong," she said.
"It's the closest I can get to anybody from Israel in charge of things; he just shouldn't be here."
'Further division'
Crowds have also gathered at a rally at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne.
Attendee Mary Jo Kelly said someone else should have been chosen to meet with the Australian Jewish community.
Protests are underway at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne. (ABC News: James Oaten)
"This visit is not going to contribute to social cohesion. It's not helping the poor people who suffered in Bondi," she said.
"They should have brought a religious leader. We could have all been part of that healing instead all that they've done is create further division."
There were about 500 people protesting in Canberra's Garema Place, with federal Greens leader Larissa Waters and Independent Senator Fatima Payman among those in the crowd.
Fatima Payman was among those in attendance at a rally in Canberra. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
More than 1,000 people attended the rally at Brisbane's King George Square.
One attendee described the invitation of Mr Herzog as "the most divisive move".
The peaceful rally was closely monitored by police.
President arrives in 'goodwill'
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the president would "lift the spirits of a pained community".
"He is a person who has sadly had to comfort families, police and first responders after terrorist attacks many times, and will know how to reassure and fortify our community in its darkest time," he said.
There is a heavy police presence in the Sydney CBD this evening. (ABC News: Digby Werthmuller)
Mr Herzog acknowledged the demonstrations against his visit. (ABC News)
Meanwhile, an open letter signed by more than 1,000 Jewish Australians said Mr Herzog was "not welcome here".
Mr Herzog on Monday morning acknowledged the demonstrations.
"It is important for me to say that I have come here in goodwill," he said.
"These demonstrations, in most cases, what you hear and see, comes to undermine and delegitimise our right, my nation's right, the nation which I am the head of state of, of its mere existence."
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