Following a demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit, there were altercations on Monday night in the streets surrounding Town Hall in Sydney.
Protest leaders were criticized by senior police for their “outrageous” actions, MPs and civil liberties organizations charged officers with using oppressive methods.
After demonstrators attempted to move from the Town Hall area towards parliament, NSW Police reported that officers used capsicum spray and made 27 arrests.
According to the police, they disregarded the CBD’s regulations when Herzog was there and police said 10 officers were assaulted.
There were several spray affected individuals treated by paramedics and no major injuries were reported.
The altercation followed a ruling earlier in the day by the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Police were seen relocating men who were kneeling to pray close to Town Hall in a video posted online, the video received harsh criticism.
The Australian National Imams Council expressed its “outrage” and “urgent and serious concerns” to the relevant ministers and the police commissioner.
“It was outrageous the behavior we saw across Sydney streets tonight,” NSW Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna told Nine News, arguing that officers actions were appropriate.
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties demanded that the violence against protesters be looked into.
During the push and shoot, a state Labor MP and a Greens MP reported seeing or experiencing aggressive police behavior.
Other cities, including Melbourne also hosted protests following the Bondi attack on December 14, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the governor general invited Herzog to Australia, where he embarked on a four day program.
