Tel Aviv [Israel], February 10: Palestine supporters have rallied across Australia to oppose a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has been accused of inciting genocide against Palestinians.
Police in Sydney on Monday used pepper spray and scuffled with protesters who marched against the Israeli president, who is in the country to commemorate victims of last year's Bondi Beach mass shooting.
Thousands of people demonstrated in a square in Sydney's business district on Monday with more protests planned in cities and towns across the country in the evening. Demonstrators risked arrest if they join a protest march late on Monday from Sydney Town Hall to the New South Wales Parliament, which falls in an area authorities have designated as a protected area during Herzog's visit.
A Sydney court on Monday rejected a legal challenge against the restrictions on the demonstration filed by the Palestine Action Group, which organised the march.
"We're hoping we won't have to use any powers because we've been liaising very closely with the protest organisers," Peter McKenna, New South Wales assistant police commissioner, told the broadcaster Nine News on Monday.
Herzog began his four-day visit to Australia at Sydney's Bondi Beach, where he laid a wreath at a memorial for the victims of the December attack, which killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration. He also met survivors and the families of those killed.
"This was also an attack all Australians," Herzog said. "They attacked the values that our democracies treasure - the sanctity of human life, the freedom of religion, tolerance, dignity and respect."
"I'm here to express solidarity, friendship, and love," he added in comments to reporters.
In addition to Sydney, where 3,000 police personnel were to be deployed, Herzog also plans to visit Melbourne and the national capital, Canberra, before he returns to Israel on Thursday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged people to respect the solemn nature of Herzog's visit, saying the Israeli president had "come here in goodwill".
Activists said the Israeli leader, whom a United Nations commission of inquiry has found to be responsible for inciting genocide against Palestinians, should not be immune to protests.
Source: Qatar Tribune