Photo: Taken from video footage captured on Monday 9 February at the Sydney protest against Israeli President Herzog. Muslim worshippers were forcibly moved while praying, despite having earlier received permission from police to pray.
Mass demonstrations erupted across Australia this week during the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, with tens of thousands rallying in more than 30 cities and towns to protest Israel’s war in Gaza and its broader policies toward Palestinians.
The protests were largely peaceful and reflected sustained community mobilisation. However, tensions escalated sharply in Sydney and Melbourne, where protesters were met with aggressive police tactics, including physical force and specially brutal disruption of Muslim protesters while praying.
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) condemned what it described as “racist violence” and warned the incidents raise “grave concerns for democratic rights,” arguing the events reflect broader patterns of anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia.
Violent scenes at Sydney Town Hall
The most controversial clashes occurred Monday night, 9 February, outside Sydney Town Hall, where police violently charged on protesters running, pushing and dragging while using pepper spray.
Witness accounts later confirmed that a senior police officer had agreed to allow Muslim protesters to complete a brief congregational prayer before dispersal.
Videos showed worshippers being dragged, pushed, and pepper-sprayed while praying. Community leaders described the actions as “entirely unnecessary violence,” noting the prayer would have lasted only a few minutes.
Authorities defended the operation, saying officers were dealing with a “fast-moving” and volatile situation. Ten protesters were later charged with various offences including assaulting police.
Muslim organisations condemn disruption of prayer
A joint statement led by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) described the incident as an “abuse of power” and a “serious failure of judgment.”
The statement said police “knowingly intervened in a moment of religious observance” and used force against individuals who “posed no threat to public safety.”
Muslim organisations called for a public apology from political leaders, an independent inquiry into the incident, and accountability for any officers found to have acted unlawfully.
They warned that the disruption of prayer mid-act raises serious concerns about religious freedom and could set a dangerous precedent for policing Muslim religious expression.
Trust between police and Muslim communities fractures
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) said the incident has deeply shaken Muslim communities across New South Wales.
In a formal letter to police leadership, ANIC said footage of the incident left many families feeling “terrified and shaken,” especially because worshippers were targeted while engaged in peaceful prayer.
ANIC warned that trust between police and Muslim communities has deteriorated to its lowest point in years and stressed that restoring relations will require transparency, accountability, and acknowledgment of harm.
Understanding the significance of Muslim prayer
In his column published in SMH today, commentator Waleed Aly explained that the Maghreb prayer disrupted during the protest has strict timing requirements and is offered strictly on time.
He emphasised that prayer is non-negotiable and cannot simply be paused or abandoned. Worshippers must remain fully focused, avoiding interaction even in chaotic circumstances.
Aly noted that this explains why many continued praying despite the police intervention, arguing their actions were “not remotely strategic” or provocative but a routine religious duty performed wherever necessary.
Jewish Australian draws parallels with apartheid
In a widely discussed opinion piece published this week in SMH, Jewish Australian psychologist Stephen Heydt compared the Sydney scenes to his experiences protesting apartheid in South Africa.
He wrote that watching police charge and punch demonstrators triggered memories of state repression during the 1970s, warning that heavy-handed policing threatens democratic freedoms.
Heydt argued that suppressing peaceful dissent risks eroding Australia’s tradition of free assembly, stressing that a democracy must tolerate controversial speech to remain healthy.
Political fallout and calls for inquiry
Calls for an independent investigation are growing, including from community leaders, advocacy groups, and some politicians.
However, the NSW Premier has declined to support an external inquiry, stating he will not condemn police actions taken to maintain public safety.
This stance has intensified criticism and further polarised debate over policing, civil liberties, and community relations.
A defining moment for rights and trust
The Sydney protest clash has become a flashpoint in broader national debates about freedom of protest, religious rights, policing accountability, and Australia’s response to the Gaza conflict.
Community leaders warn that without transparency and dialogue, the incident risks deepening divisions affecting social cohesion and undermining public trust in institutions meant to protect all Australians equally.
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