NSW Premier Chris Minns is facing fresh pressure inside his own party after several Labor backbenchers confirmed they will attend a Sydney protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog despite police extending special restrictions on public assemblies in parts of the city.
Herzog is expected to arrive in Sydney on Sunday, 8 February as part of a wider Australian visit announced after the December Bondi Beach terror attack at a Hanukkah event.
Protests are planned in Sydney and other capitals next week with organisers in NSW indicating they intend to rally near Town Hall before moving towards Macquarie Street.
Three NSW Labor MLCs, Cameron Murphy, Stephen Lawrence and Sarah Kaine have publicly said they will attend the Monday evening protest, arguing peaceful demonstration should not be curtailed and criticising the decision to host Herzog while the war in Gaza continues.
Lawrence has indicated he will decide closer to the day whether to join any march while Kaine has said her intention is to attend a protest that remains lawful.
Minns has opposed marches in the restricted areas and has backed police efforts to manage the event saying authorities are negotiating with organisers about where demonstrations can be held.
He has also insisted cabinet is united while acknowledging wider division within Labor ranks.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon this week extended a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration for a further 14 days covering the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command and parts of the CBD with Hyde Park excluded.
Under the declaration, police will not accept Form 1 applications for authorised public assemblies in the specified locations, meaning participants do not receive the usual legal protections that apply to approved marches.
The restrictions flow from laws passed on 24 December 2025, granting police expanded powers following a declared terrorist incident.
A coalition of groups has launched a legal challenge to those laws, adding to political scrutiny of the premier’s handling of protest rights and public safety ahead of a high tension visit.
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