‘I Would Encourage People Not to Attend’: NSW Police on Pro-Palestine Rally

Palestine supporters rally outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 9, 2023. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

New South Wales (NSW) Police are encouraging people not to attend a pro-Palestine rally planned for Sunday in Sydney, Australia.

This follows a widely condemned pro-Palestine rally at the Opera House on Monday night, where footage emerged of protestors chanting “Gas the Jews” and “[Expletive] the Jews.”

In a media conference on Oct. 11, NSW Police acting commissioner David Hudson said the protest planned for Sunday is “unauthorised at this stage.”

The “notice of intention to hold a public assembly” form has been submitted for the rally, but it is outside the seven-day limit to be considered.

“At this stage, I would encourage people not to attend that assembly on Sunday that is currently proposed, because they do have no protections that come from the appropriate issue of a form one for breaking the law,” Mr. Hudson told Sky News Australia at a press conference on Wednesday.

“And they will be dealt with appropriately.”

Sunday’s planned protest comes after hundreds of pro-Palestine protestors showed up at the Sydney Opera House on Monday night, where they were seen chanting, burning, and stomping on the Israeli flag.

NSW Premier Chris Minns apologised to the Jewish community on Wednesday morning  and promised it won’t happen again.

“I want to apologise to them specifically on behalf of the government and the Premier of NSW,” he told media on Wednesday morning.

“The intentions of the government were very straightforward, to light up the Opera House, to create a space and a place for that community to come together to commemorate the horrific scenes that we’ve seen in Israel over the last 48 hours. And we didn’t do that.”

With regard to the potential protest on the weekend, Mr Minns said “the idea they are going to commandeer Sydney streets is not going to happen and I am sure NSW police will make that clear this morning.”

Black smoke rises from a carpark fire in Ashkelon, Israel, on Oct. 10, 2023. CNN/Screenshot via NTD

Pro-Palestine Group Intend to Protest

However, pro-Palestine organiser Fahad Ali insists the protest will go ahead on Sunday and argues Palestinians have a “right” to protest peacefully.

“Palestinians have a right to peaceful assembly. We have a right to freedom of expression. We have a right to protest against the massacre in Gaza,” he said on X.

“We will be marching again this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Sydney Town Hall. See you there.”

NSW Police have launched Operation Shelter in response to the Israeli-Palestine conflict. The operation will include high visibility operations around synagogues, Jewish schools, and hospitals.

“We are working with the Jewish community to try and explain our actions on Monday and how they came about,” Mr. Hudson said.

The Epoch Times has contacted NSW Police for comment.

Australian Among the Dead in Israel

Earlier today, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed Galit Carbone was killed in the attacks on Israel by terrorist group Hamas.

The 66 year-old Australian grandmother was found just metres from her home in Be'eri kibbutz, near the Gaza Strip border.

“On behalf of the government, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms. Carbone,” Ms. Wong said.

“The loss of life from these attacks has been devastating and unacceptable. Australia has called for the attacks to stop and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those taken hostage.”