Israel, Palestine Rallies Cost Australian State $1 Million to Police

Members of the Australian Palestinian community hold flags and placards as they participate in a rally in Sydney on Nov. 12, 2023. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

The combined cost of policing major protests in Sydney to New South Wales (NSW) taxpayers has reached $1 million (US$650,000), according to the state premier.

On Sunday morning, a pro-Israel calling for the release of hostages was held in Sydney’s Moore Park, while thousands attended a pro-Palestine rally at Hyde Park later that day.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the $1 million was put towards mobilising a large police presence at both events.

“It’s costing a lot. It’s in excess of a million dollars for a major protest. And the reason for that is that there’s a large police presence associated with these protests,” he told reporters.

“They are there not just to maintain the safety of the community, and assets and people, but also to monitor for those fundamental principles that we have in NSW around racial vilification and hate speech.”

The pro-Palestine rally at Hyde Park was attended by tens of thousands, while the Israel rally calling for the return of hostages from Gaza involved about 5,000 people.

Members of the Australian Jewish community hold placards and flags during a rally in Sydney on Nov. 12, 2023. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

Foreign Minister Reminds Public, ‘We Are All Australian’

Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has expressed deep concern at the “humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”

“What I would say is we all want to take the next steps towards a ceasefire, but it cannot be one‑sided. Hamas still holds hostages, Hamas is still attacking Israel,” Ms. Wong said.

“We cannot allow this conflict to divide us. We have to remember each other’s humanity, we have to remember that we are all Australian, and that this is a country that people want to come to because we are respectful and we are accepting, and we don’t believe in division and hate.”

However, a Jewish community event organiser in Melbourne told Nine News, “There will be no ceasefire or any change unless our hostages are back.”

Another Israeli supporter, asked if they would support a ceasefire, said, “I would not, they would have a ceasefire today if they released the hostages, that’s all they have to do.”

Also at the pro-Israel event, a member of the community raised concerns that Australia is delivering humanitarian support to Gaza despite no release of the hostages.

“Anthony Albanese has just pledged $25 million in assistance to Gaza, he has not made that conditional on the return of the hostages,” she said.

Australia announced $15 million in humanitarian assistance to Gaza on Oct. 26 for food, water, medicine, and essential services. This was on top of $10 million provided by the government in early October.

Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and holding more than 200 hostages, prompting the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war on the terrorist group.

Not long after, sympathisers organised a pro-Palestine rally at the Sydney Opera House with footage emerging of protestors chanting, “Gas the Jews.” Some demonstrators were also seen chanting, burning, and stomping on the Israeli flag.

This led to NSW Police launching Operation Shelter in response to the conflict in the Middle East, including high visibility at synagogues, Jewish schools, and hospitals.

Since then, pro-Palestine rallies have been held most weekends, as well as some Israeli events.

On Remembrance Day, pro-Palestine supporters attempted to block an Israeli ship from reaching a port in Sydney.

Protestors were seen with signs reading, “Block the Boats”, while in the water, while activists chanted, “Free, free, Palestine”.

Melbourne and France Protests

In Melbourne, clashes erupted between Palestine and Israel supporters in the suburb of Caulfield, Melbourne on Friday night.

In response, Liberal Senator James Paterson said the pro-Palestine event wasa “calculated attempt” to intimidate the Jewish community.

“Of all the places in Melbourne to hold a pro-Palestinian rally, they chose Caulfield. In a park next to a synagogue. This is a calculated attempt to intimidate the Jewish community with predictable consequences,” he said on X.

“And on Shabbat. Victoria Police never should have allowed this protest to proceed and must use the full force of the law to crack down on those responsible for these violent scenes.”

Daniel Aghion, president of the Jewish Community Council, met with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, and senior police, telling them that “things need to change.”

Victorian Police used pepper spray to deal with some members of the protest, after physical clashes erupted and rocks were reportedly thrown at the scene.

Meanwhile, in France, thousands gathered to show support for the Jewish community and stand against antisemitism.

More than 180,000 people at multiple locations reportedly attended rallies amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and National Rally parliamentary party leader Marine le Pen attended the rally, while President Emmanuel Macron expressed support, CBS reported.

Mr. Macron asked the French to rise up against the “unbearable resurgence of unbridled antisemitism.”